Authors
Jelena Obretkovich, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Andrew M. Bosak, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA
Garrett B. Toms, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
Tristan R. Faust, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
Connor M. Pells, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(4): 4010, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026410
Abstract
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) represents cardiovascular fitness. Several studies suggest that a Booster Max with a 2-minute (2min) active recovery improves VO2max in many individuals, but a 4-minute (4min) active recovery has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2min vs. 4min active recovery on VO2max. In a counter-balanced order, 41 aerobically trained males completed a treadmill VO2max GXT (Max1). The trial was followed by either a 2min or 4min active recovery and a second bout (Max2) to volitional exhaustion. After 72 hours, participants completed the alternate condition. VO2max was analyzed using a 2×2 repeated measures ANOVA. A significant Recovery Duration × Exertion interaction was observed (F(1,40) = 9.02, p = 0.005, ηp² = 0.184), with post-hoc analyses showing a significant increase in VO2max from Max1 to Max2 only in the 4min condition. There was no significant main effect of Recovery Duration, F(1,40) = 0.15, p = 0.701, ηp² = 0.004, but a significant main effect of Exertion, F(1,40) = 7.05, p = 0.011, ηp² = 0.150, with higher values in Max2. VO2max increased from 52.56 ± 8.71 to 54.70 ± 8.84 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the 4min condition, and from 53.35 ± 8.55 to 53.58 ± 8.99 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the 2min condition. A greater proportion of participants achieved higher VO2max values following 4min (75.6%) compared to 2min (63.4%). Future research should employ different Booster Max protocols, including 4min recovery conditions in aerobically trained females and other aerobic athlete populations.
Recommended Citation
Obretkovich, Jelena; Bosak, Andrew M.; Toms, Garrett B.; Faust, Tristan R.; Pells, Connor M. (2026) “Effects of Two-Minutes Versus Four-Minutes Active Recovery on A Booster VO2max Treadmill Test in Trained Males,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(4):4010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026410