In this study, we examined the effects of three recovery intensities on time spent at a high percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (t90VO2max) during a short intermittent session. Eight endurance-trained male adolescents (16 ± 1 years) performed four field tests until exhaustion: a graded test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max; 57.4 ± 6.1 ml/min·kg) and maximal aerobic velocity (17.9 ± 0.4 km/h), and three intermittent exercises consisting of repeat 30-s runs at 105% of maximal aerobic velocity alternating with 30 s active recovery at 50% (IE50), 67% (IE67), and 84% (IE84) of maximal aerobic velocity. In absolute values, mean t90VO2max was not significantly different between IE50 and IE67, but both values were significantly longer compared with IE84. When expressed in relative values (as a percentage of time to exhaustion), mean t90VO2max was significantly higher during IE67 than during IE50. Our results show that both 50% and 67% of maximal aerobic velocity of active recovery induced extensive solicitation of the cardiorespiratory system. Our results suggest that the choice of recovery intensity depends on the exercise objective.
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