Effects of Passive Recovery Methods After High-Intensity Cycling Exercise (RECOVER-CYCLE)

July 10, 2026 updated by: UMMUHAN BAS ASLAN, Pamukkale University

Acute Effects of Five Passive Recovery Interventions Following High-Intensity Cycling Exercise: A Randomized Five-Period Crossover Trial

This randomized crossover trial will investigate the acute effects of five passive recovery interventions following a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol. Participants will complete the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each exercise session, participants will receive one of five recovery interventions: compression therapy, vacuum therapy, kinesiology taping, passive rest, or classical massage. The order of the interventions will be randomized according to a balanced crossover sequence. Each participant will experience all five recovery interventions during the study period. Outcomes related to post-exercise recovery will be assessed across intervention periods.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a randomized, five-period, five-treatment crossover trial. All participants will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Following each cycling session, participants will receive one passive recovery intervention. The five recovery interventions are compression therapy, vacuum therapy, kinesiology taping, passive rest, and classical massage.

Participants will be randomized to one of five intervention sequences to balance the order of recovery interventions across the study period. Each intervention will be administered once to each participant, and all participants will receive all five interventions. The crossover design allows each participant to serve as his or her own control when comparing the acute effects of the recovery interventions.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

12

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Pamukkale University, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy adult volunteers aged 18-30 years
  • Able to perform high-intensity cycling exercise
  • No musculoskeletal injury within the last six months
  • No known cardiovascular, neurological, or metabolic disease
  • Not using medication that may affect exercise performance, pain perception, or recovery
  • Willing to attend all five study sessions
  • Willing to receive all five passive recovery interventions
  • Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury
  • History of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, or metabolic disease
  • Contraindication to high-intensity exercise
  • Contraindication to compression therapy, vacuum therapy, kinesiology taping, passive rest, or classical massage
  • Skin allergy, open wound, dermatological disease, or sensitivity to kinesiology tape
  • Use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, or performance-enhancing medication during the study period
  • Participation in another exercise or recovery intervention study during the study period
  • Failure to attend all study sessions or comply with study procedures

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Sequence A: Compression-Vacuum-KT-Rest-Massage
Participants randomized to Sequence A will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Session 1 compression therapy, Session 2 vacuum therapy, Session 3 kinesiology taping, Session 4 passive rest, and Session 5 classical massage.
Device: Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
Compression therapy will be administered using the Doctor Life MK400L 6-chamber sequential intermittent compression device, code MK4L250-BL. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, and device settings.
Other Names:
  • Doctor Life MK400L
  • MK4L250-BL
  • 6-Chamber Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
  • Compression Therapy
Device: Intelect Neo Therapy System with Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
Vacuum therapy will be administered using the Intelect Neo Therapy System with the Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, vacuum cup placement, and vacuum pressure settings.
Other Names:
  • Vacuum Therapy
  • Intelect Neo
  • Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
  • Vacuum-Assisted Therapy
Other: Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. Tape placement, application technique, tension, target region, and wear time will be standardized across participants.
Other: Passive Rest
Participants will rest quietly after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session for a standardized duration. No manual therapy, mechanical therapy, taping, or additional recovery intervention will be administered during the passive rest condition.
Other: Classical Massage
Classical massage will be administered immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. The treated body region, massage techniques, sequence of techniques, pressure, and application duration will be standardized across participants.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. The cycling protocol will be administered before the assigned recovery intervention in each study period. Exercise intensity, duration, and progression will be standardized across participants and sessions.
Experimental: Sequence B: Vacuum-KT-Rest-Massage-Compression
Participants randomized to Sequence B will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Session 1 vacuum therapy, Session 2 kinesiology taping, Session 3 passive rest, Session 4 classical massage, and Session 5 compression therapy.
Device: Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
Compression therapy will be administered using the Doctor Life MK400L 6-chamber sequential intermittent compression device, code MK4L250-BL. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, and device settings.
Other Names:
  • Doctor Life MK400L
  • MK4L250-BL
  • 6-Chamber Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
  • Compression Therapy
Device: Intelect Neo Therapy System with Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
Vacuum therapy will be administered using the Intelect Neo Therapy System with the Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, vacuum cup placement, and vacuum pressure settings.
Other Names:
  • Vacuum Therapy
  • Intelect Neo
  • Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
  • Vacuum-Assisted Therapy
Other: Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. Tape placement, application technique, tension, target region, and wear time will be standardized across participants.
Other: Passive Rest
Participants will rest quietly after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session for a standardized duration. No manual therapy, mechanical therapy, taping, or additional recovery intervention will be administered during the passive rest condition.
Other: Classical Massage
Classical massage will be administered immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. The treated body region, massage techniques, sequence of techniques, pressure, and application duration will be standardized across participants.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. The cycling protocol will be administered before the assigned recovery intervention in each study period. Exercise intensity, duration, and progression will be standardized across participants and sessions.
Experimental: Sequence C: KT-Rest-Massage-Compression-Vacuum
Participants randomized to Sequence C will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Session 1 kinesiology taping, Session 2 passive rest, Session 3 classical massage, Session 4 compression therapy, and Session 5 vacuum therapy.
Device: Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
Compression therapy will be administered using the Doctor Life MK400L 6-chamber sequential intermittent compression device, code MK4L250-BL. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, and device settings.
Other Names:
  • Doctor Life MK400L
  • MK4L250-BL
  • 6-Chamber Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
  • Compression Therapy
Device: Intelect Neo Therapy System with Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
Vacuum therapy will be administered using the Intelect Neo Therapy System with the Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, vacuum cup placement, and vacuum pressure settings.
Other Names:
  • Vacuum Therapy
  • Intelect Neo
  • Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
  • Vacuum-Assisted Therapy
Other: Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. Tape placement, application technique, tension, target region, and wear time will be standardized across participants.
Other: Passive Rest
Participants will rest quietly after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session for a standardized duration. No manual therapy, mechanical therapy, taping, or additional recovery intervention will be administered during the passive rest condition.
Other: Classical Massage
Classical massage will be administered immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. The treated body region, massage techniques, sequence of techniques, pressure, and application duration will be standardized across participants.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. The cycling protocol will be administered before the assigned recovery intervention in each study period. Exercise intensity, duration, and progression will be standardized across participants and sessions.
Experimental: Sequence D: Rest-Massage-Compression-Vacuum-KT
Participants randomized to Sequence D will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Session 1 passive rest, Session 2 classical massage, Session 3 compression therapy, Session 4 vacuum therapy, and Session 5 kinesiology taping.
Device: Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
Compression therapy will be administered using the Doctor Life MK400L 6-chamber sequential intermittent compression device, code MK4L250-BL. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, and device settings.
Other Names:
  • Doctor Life MK400L
  • MK4L250-BL
  • 6-Chamber Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
  • Compression Therapy
Device: Intelect Neo Therapy System with Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
Vacuum therapy will be administered using the Intelect Neo Therapy System with the Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, vacuum cup placement, and vacuum pressure settings.
Other Names:
  • Vacuum Therapy
  • Intelect Neo
  • Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
  • Vacuum-Assisted Therapy
Other: Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. Tape placement, application technique, tension, target region, and wear time will be standardized across participants.
Other: Passive Rest
Participants will rest quietly after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session for a standardized duration. No manual therapy, mechanical therapy, taping, or additional recovery intervention will be administered during the passive rest condition.
Other: Classical Massage
Classical massage will be administered immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. The treated body region, massage techniques, sequence of techniques, pressure, and application duration will be standardized across participants.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. The cycling protocol will be administered before the assigned recovery intervention in each study period. Exercise intensity, duration, and progression will be standardized across participants and sessions.
Experimental: Sequence E: Massage-Compression-Vacuum-KT-Rest
Participants randomized to Sequence E will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Session 1 classical massage, Session 2 compression therapy, Session 3 vacuum therapy, Session 4 kinesiology taping, and Session 5 passive rest.
Device: Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
Compression therapy will be administered using the Doctor Life MK400L 6-chamber sequential intermittent compression device, code MK4L250-BL. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, and device settings.
Other Names:
  • Doctor Life MK400L
  • MK4L250-BL
  • 6-Chamber Sequential Intermittent Compression Device
  • Compression Therapy
Device: Intelect Neo Therapy System with Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
Vacuum therapy will be administered using the Intelect Neo Therapy System with the Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module. The intervention will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session. The application will be delivered according to a standardized protocol, including participant positioning, treated body region, application duration, vacuum cup placement, and vacuum pressure settings.
Other Names:
  • Vacuum Therapy
  • Intelect Neo
  • Chattanooga Intelect Neo Vacuum Module
  • Vacuum-Assisted Therapy
Other: Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. Tape placement, application technique, tension, target region, and wear time will be standardized across participants.
Other: Passive Rest
Participants will rest quietly after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session for a standardized duration. No manual therapy, mechanical therapy, taping, or additional recovery intervention will be administered during the passive rest condition.
Other: Classical Massage
Classical massage will be administered immediately after the standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session by a trained physiotherapist. The treated body region, massage techniques, sequence of techniques, pressure, and application duration will be standardized across participants.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol during five separate study sessions. The cycling protocol will be administered before the assigned recovery intervention in each study period. Exercise intensity, duration, and progression will be standardized across participants and sessions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Quality Recovery (TQR) Score
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately after completion of the 30-minute recovery period and 24 hours after completion of the high-intensity cycling exercise.
Recovery status assessed using the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale following each recovery intervention.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately after completion of the 30-minute recovery period and 24 hours after completion of the high-intensity cycling exercise.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Perceived Recovery Status
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise, immediately after completion of the 30-minute recovery period, and 24 hours after completion of the high-intensity cycling exercise.
Perceived recovery will be assessed using a standardized perceived recovery scale after each passive recovery intervention.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise, immediately after completion of the 30-minute recovery period, and 24 hours after completion of the high-intensity cycling exercise.
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise and immediately after completion of the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout, before the cool-down and recovery intervention.
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale during or after the standardized cycling exercise protocol.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise and immediately after completion of the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout, before the cool-down and recovery intervention.
Fatigue Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.
Perceived general fatigue will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.
Muscle Soreness Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Perceived muscle soreness will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale following each recovery intervention.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Vertical Jump Performance
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Lower-limb explosive performance will be assessed using a vertical jump test.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Sit-and-Reach Test
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Hamstring and lower-back flexibility will be assessed using the sit-and-reach test.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after completion of the standardized cool-down and before initiation of the 30-minute recovery period; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after cyclin
Heart Rate
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.
Heart rate will be measured to monitor physiological response to exercise and recovery interventions.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.
Blood Pressure
Time Frame: At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured to monitor cardiovascular response to exercise and recovery interventions.
At each of the five study sessions: immediately before exercise; immediately after the 15-minute high-intensity cycling bout; immediately after the 30-minute recovery period; and 24 hours after completion of cycling exercise.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Pamukkale University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 22, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 14, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 21, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 10, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 10, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • E-60116787-020-734897

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Young Adults

Clinical Trials on Doctor Life MK400L Sequential Intermittent Compression Device

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Philippines

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe