ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effective recovery mode during intervals in water-polo games from the viewpoint of blood lactate removal. Six male elite water-polo players (aged 20±2 years old) volunteered to participate as the subjects. Three different modes of recovery ; sitting (Rest), kicking of breast stroke on the spot (Kick), and backstroke swimming (Swim) were compared for breathing air or 60%O<SUB>2</SUB>. Blood lactate removal was expressed as the percentage decrease in blood lactate concentration from the end of preceding period to the end of the interval. The lactate removal in Swim was the highest (p<0.05) of the three kinds of recovery modes. Lactate removal indicated a higher value in order of Swim>Kick>Rest for breathing air. And it was facili tated in Swim (2.1%), Kick (5.4%) and Rest (8.1%) by 60%O<SUB>2</SUB> inhalation, although no significant differences were observed. From these results, it was suggested that the blood lactate removal during intervals in water-polo games would be facilitated by an active recovery mode like Swim, and that the inhalation of 60%O<SUB>2</SUB> would not bring any significant effects.