Publications
Effects of Passive Foot Flexions on Muscular Oxygenation and Performance Recovery Following an Isometric Task
Authors: Eugenijus Trinkunas 1, Zivile Kairiukstiene 2, Alfonsas Buliuolis 3, Kristina Poderiene 2, Ruta Brazdzionyte 3, Jonas Poderys 3
Affiliations:
- Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, 44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, 44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Coaching Science, Lithuanian Sports University, 44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
Journal: Applied Sciences - March 2026, Volume 16, Issue 6, Article no. 3038 (DOI: 10.3390/app16063038)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Warm-up / Recovery
Background: Passive movement-based recovery strategies may support post-exercise recovery without additional metabolic demand.
Objective: To examine the acute effects of passive foot flexions during recovery on isometric task performance after repeated exercise.
Methods: Fourteen physically active men completed two randomized crossover sessions—passive rest and passive foot flexions—separated by a 7-day washout. Each session included a sustained static isometric plantar flexion task at 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), a 15 min recovery period, and a repeated isometric task. Work capacity was assessed as holding time. Cardiovascular, autonomic, and peripheral responses were recorded throughout the protocol.
Results: Baseline holding time did not differ between the conditions. During the repeated isometric task, holding time was significantly longer following passive foot flexions compared to passive rest (67.7 ± 10.4 s vs. 52.9 ± 9.7 s; p < 0.05), with a large effect size (d ≈ 1.5). Passive foot flexions were associated with a greater increase in parasympathetic modulation, reflected by higher root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) during recovery and altered muscle oxygenation dynamics, including faster post-exercise re-oxygenation. For both conditions, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited similar exercise–recovery patterns with no between-condition differences. Only minor changes in muscle stiffness were observed following the passive foot flexions.
Conclusions: Passive foot flexions may support short-term recovery between repeated isometric efforts, particularly with respect to holding time and RMSSD.
Keywords: passive foot flexions, heart rate variability, arterial blood pressure, muscle oxygenation, maximal voluntary contraction
In young physically active men, passive foot flexions during recovery were associated with longer holding time during a repeated isometric task and a more favorable RMSSD response, while heart rate and muscle mechanical properties remained unchanged. Peripheral oxygenation responses also differed between conditions, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Overall, passive foot flexions may support short-term recovery between repeated holding tasks; however, these findings should be considered exploratory because of the small sample size and require confirmation in larger studies.