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

June 16, 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 one supervised high-intensity cycling session per week for five consecutive weeks. 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

Not yet 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 once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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. A seven-day interval between weekly exercise sessions will separate intervention periods. 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)

10

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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 18-35 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 session once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Week 1 compression therapy, Week 2 vacuum therapy, Week 3 kinesiology taping, Week 4 passive rest, and Week 5 classical massage.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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.
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.
Experimental: Sequence B: Vacuum-KT-Rest-Massage-Compression
Participants randomized to Sequence B will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Week 1 vacuum therapy, Week 2 kinesiology taping, Week 3 passive rest, Week 4 classical massage, and Week 5 compression therapy.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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.
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.
Experimental: Sequence C: KT-Rest-Massage-Compression-Vacuum
Participants randomized to Sequence C will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Week 1 kinesiology taping, Week 2 passive rest, Week 3 classical massage, Week 4 compression therapy, and Week 5 vacuum therapy.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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.
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.
Experimental: Sequence D: Rest-Massage-Compression-Vacuum-KT
Participants randomized to Sequence D will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Week 1 passive rest, Week 2 classical massage, Week 3 compression therapy, Week 4 vacuum therapy, and Week 5 kinesiology taping.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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.
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.
Experimental: Sequence E: Massage-Compression-Vacuum-KT-Rest
Participants randomized to Sequence E will complete a standardized high-intensity cycling exercise session once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Immediately after each session, they will receive recovery interventions in the following order: Week 1 classical massage, Week 2 compression therapy, Week 3 vacuum therapy, Week 4 kinesiology taping, and Week 5 passive rest.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Cycling Exercise Protocol
All participants will perform a standardized supervised high-intensity cycling exercise protocol once weekly for five consecutive weeks. 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.
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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Quality Recovery (TQR) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Recovery status assessed using the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale following each recovery intervention.
Baseline, immediately after recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Perceived Recovery Status
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Perceived recovery will be assessed using a standardized perceived recovery scale after each passive recovery intervention.
Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time Frame: Immediately after exercise
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale during or after the standardized cycling exercise protocol.
Immediately after exercise
Muscle Soreness Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Perceived muscle soreness will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale following each recovery intervention.
Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Vertical Jump Performance
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Lower-limb explosive performance will be assessed using a vertical jump test.
Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Sit-and-Reach Test
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Hamstring and lower-back flexibility will be assessed using the sit-and-reach test.
Baseline, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Heart Rate
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Heart rate will be measured to monitor physiological response to exercise and recovery interventions.
Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Blood Pressure
Time Frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after exercise
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured to monitor cardiovascular response to exercise and recovery interventions.
Baseline, immediately after exercise, immediately after the recovery intervention, and 24 hours after 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 (Estimated)

June 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 20, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 30, 2027

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)

June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 16, 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.

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