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%O₂. 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%O₂ 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%O₂ would not bring any significant effects.

Sokeikakketsuto was administered to 33 patients with recurrent cramps of the calf appearing once a week or more and persisting for 2 weeks or more. Treatment response was evaluated 1 month after the start of drug therapy. Patients whose cramps disappeared immediately after starting were regarded as showing a complete response, those with disappearance after 1 month as showing a partial response, those with a reduction to <50% after 1 month as showing a slight response, and those in whom 50% or more of cramps persisted after 1 month as showing no response. A complete response was achieved in 12 patients, a partial response in 11, a slight response in 9, and no response in 1. In 23 (69.6%) of the 33 patients, cramps disappeared within 1 month after the start of drug therapy. In 32 (96.9%), there was a reduction to <50%. In 29 (87.8%) of the 33 patients, cramps disappeared within 3 months, suggesting the efficacy of this drug. Two-package administration in the evening/at bedtime was more effective than 1-package administration for controlling cramps of the calf at night until early in the morning. The intensive pre-attack administration of 2 packages before sleep was the most effective. Sokeikakketsuto may be useful for treating recurrent cramps of the calf.