Active recovery prolongs time near maximal oxygen uptake regardless of work rate distribution in interval exercise

Background Time spent at or near V̇ O 2 max is a key stimulus for improving aerobic capacity. This study compared the time spent above 90% and 95% of V̇ O 2 max during four work-matched cycling interval exercise protocols that varied in work rate distribution and recovery type. Methods After an incremental test to determine V̇ O 2 max and peak power output, ten healthy male participants (27.6 ± 5.0 years; V̇ O 2 max: 48.4 ± 8.1 mL · kg −1 · min −1 ) performed four interval exercise sessions consisting of 8 × 60 s efforts interspersed with 60 s of passive or active recovery at 80% of lactate threshold intensity. Work intervals were either constant (100% of peak power output) or decreased linearly (from 110% to 90% of peak power output). The measured variables included time spent above 90% and 95% of V̇ O 2 max, time above 90% and 95% of maximal heart rate, peak and recovery V̇ O 2 , blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion. Results Active recovery significantly ( p < 0.01) increased the time spent above 90% of V̇ O 2 max with a constant (274 ± 132 s) or decreasing workload manipulation (310 ± 113 s) compared to passive recovery with a constant (152 ± 72 s) or decreasing strategy (157 ± 82 s). Peak and averaged recovery V̇ O 2 were higher in the active recovery conditions. There were no differences in blood lactate concentration or rating of perceived exertion among all sessions. Conclusion Active recovery enhances time spent near V̇ O 2 max regardless of work rate distribution, supporting its use in short-duration cycling interval exercise to maximize physiological stimulus.