Effects of Selected Techniques on Recovery from Fatigue and Impairment in Athletes

Four techniques were compared for effectiveness in promoting recovery during a ten-minute rest period between experimental work periods. The four techniques were: (a) lying supine, (b) elevation of arms and legs, (c) slow movement, and (d) watching sound movies. Two swimming subjects, two track subjects, and two treadmill subjects each completed 32 double work periods. Elevation of the arms and legs proved to be the most effective recovery technique for these subjects but it was not significantly superior. Slow movement during recovery resulted in significantly less oxygen debt being repaid in the treadmill subjects.