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

BackgroundHigh-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.ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsThirty 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.ResultsTime effects were observed in oxidative stress and lactate markers. Within the MLD group, ROS and antioxidant capacity changed significantly over time (<i>p</i> < .05). Antioxidant capacity increased immediately after exercise and declined at 24 h. Lactate increased after HIIT and decreased after MLD and at 24 h (<i>p</i> < .05). Between-group differences were not significant.ConclusionMLD 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.