Effects of manual lymphatic drainage on post–HIIT oxidative stress and lactate dynamics assessed via wearable and point–of–care physiological monitoring

Abstract

Background

High–intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient approach that improves cardiovascular and metabolic health, but it can acutely increase oxidative stress and delay recovery. With the growing availability of wearable sensors and point–of–care biochemical testing, recovery interventions can be evaluated with objective physiological monitoring.

Objective

To investigate whether a single session of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) modulates post–HIIT oxidative stress and lactate responses measured using wearable and point–of–care monitoring tools in healthy adults.

Methods

Thirty healthy adults were randomized to an MLD group (n = 15) or a passive–rest control group (n = 15). Exercise intensity was controlled using a wearable heart–rate monitor during a standardized HIIT protocol. Capillary blood lactate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant capacity were assessed at baseline, immediately after HIIT, after 35 min of MLD or rest, and at 24 h using portable analyzers and photometric assays. Two–way repeated–measures ANOVA and within–group one–way repeated–measures ANOVA were applied.

Results

Time effects were observed in oxidative stress and lactate markers. Within the MLD group, ROS and antioxidant capacity changed significantly over time (p < .05). Antioxidant capacity increased immediately after exercise and declined at 24 h. Lactate increased after HIIT and decreased after MLD and at 24 h (p < .05). Between–group differences were not significant.

Conclusion

MLD appears to support post–HIIT physiological recovery, and its effects can be quantified using wearable heart–rate monitoring and point–of–care oxidative stress and lactate testing. This monitoring–based framework strengthens the clinical engineering relevance of MLD as an adjunct recovery strategy in rehabilitation and health–management settings.