Effects of Active vs Passive Cool-Down on Ultra-Early Post-Exercise Haemodynamics in Healthy Young Men: A Preliminary Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63750/rxkk7j46Keywords:
Active cool-down, Passive cool-down, Haemodynamics, Cardiorespiratory responses, Exercise-induced syncopeAbstract
Objectives: This study investigated ultra-early effects of active cool-down (AC) and passive cool-down (PC) on post-exercise haemodynamics and cardiorespiratory responses in healthy young men, to inform strategies to reduce exercise-induced syncope.
Methods: Seven healthy, non-athletic male students performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) on a cycle ergometer, followed immediately by either AC (pedalling at 20 W) or PC (sitting without pedalling). Respiratory gas exchange was recorded breath-by-breath and averaged every 3 seconds. Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂), carbon dioxide output (VCO₂), and ventilation (VE) were measured at peak exercise and at 0, 3, and 6 seconds after the start of the cool-down. For descriptive purposes, responses up to 15 seconds were also plotted.
Results: HR decreased significantly more during the first 3 seconds of recovery in PC than in AC (p = 0.03, d = 0.62). No significant differences in HR changes were observed between 3 and 6 seconds after cool-down initiation (p = 0.47). VO₂, VCO₂, and VE did not differ significantly between AC and PC at any of the measured time points (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that PC immediately after exercise induces a more abrupt early decline in HR than AC, potentially delaying ultra-early haemodynamic stabilisation during a time window in which exercise-induced syncope may occur. Incorporating light active recovery may help support safer haemodynamic recovery following exercise. Given the small sample size, these results should be confirmed in larger studies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Atsuya Otsuka, Yujiro Masu, Junya Komagata , Yuta Sakamoto , Yuki Komatsu (Author)
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