Effects of mode of exercise recovery on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses

To identify the effects of exercise recovery mode on cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and sweat rate, eight healthy adults performed two 15-min bouts of upright cycle ergometry at 60% of maximal heart rate followed by either inactive or active (loadless pedaling) recovery. An index of CVC was calculated from the ratio of laser-Doppler flux to mean arterial pressure. CVC was then expressed as a percentage of maximum (%max) as determined from local heating. At 3 min postexercise, CVC was greater during active recovery (chest: 40 ± 3, forearm: 48 ± 3%max) compared with during inactive recovery (chest: 21 ± 2, forearm: 25 ± 4%max); all P < 0.05. Moreover, at the same time point sweat rate was greater during active recovery (chest: 0.47 ± 0.10, forearm: 0.46 ± 0.10 mg·cm^.2·min^-1) compared with during inactive recovery (chest: 0.28 ± 0.10, forearm: 0.14 ± 0.20 mg.cm^-2·min^-1); all P < 0.05. Mean arterial blood pressure, esophageal temperature, and skin temperature were not different between recovery modes. These data suggest that skin blood flow and sweat rate during recovery from exercise may be modulated by nonthermoregulatory mechanisms and that sustained elevations in skin blood flow and sweat rate during mild active recovery may be important for postexertional heat dissipation.