The effect of combined massage and active recovery on blood lactate removal following a 30-s Wingate anaerobic cycling test (WAnT) was investigated. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated for 25 healthy subjects using a YMCA incremental cycle test. After 5-min rest, subjects performed a WAnT and were then randomly assigned to a recovery condition: i) sitting rest (n=5), ii) leg massage (n=5), iii) active cycling at 37.5% VO2max (n=5), iv) combined rest-active recovery (n=5) or, v) combined massage-active recovery (n=5). Blood lactate was measured from fingertip samples and analysed enzymatic-amperometrically. The relative reduction in blood lactate concentration was significantly greater in the active recovery group (p<0.05) and the combined massage-active recovery group (p<0.05) compared to the rest recovery group. Combined massage-active recovery may be favourable to active recovery since it more energy efficient and less uncomfortable.
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