Effects of Combined Interventions to Optimize Recovery During High-intensity Exercises in Healthy Adults

Effects of Combined Interventions to Optimize Recovery During High-intensity Exercises in Healthy Adults

The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects a complex recovery intervention during the breaks of a repeated sprint test on exercise performance compared to placebo and control conditions. The enhanced recovery package (ERP) includes neck cooling with an iced gel pad, drinking a 6% CHO solution, mouth-rinsing with a 10% CHO, 6 mg･kg -1 caffeine solution, performing submaximal squats and hyperventilating a hyperoxic mixture; all applied in each 3-min break in-between the six 30-s sprints. This intervention will be compared to a placebo and a control condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed Consent as documented by signature (Appendix Informed Consent Form)
• Healthy
• Male
• Age: 18-40 years
• Body-Mass-Index (BMI): 18.5-24.9 kg･m-2
• Trained individuals: max. Power output ≥ 4.0 Watts･kg-1
• Non-smoking
• Willingness to adhere to the study rules

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participants
• Previous enrolment into the current study
• Intake of medications affecting performance or the respiratory, cardiovascular or neuromuscular system
• Acute or chronic illness affecting performance or the respiratory, cardiovascular or neuromuscular system