Metabolic recovery from exhaustive exercise in rainbow trout

Exercise to exhaustion results in severe metabolic, acid-base, and endocrine disturbances to fish. Recovery metabolism from this type of activity may place limits on performance, since the time requirements for restoration of high energy stores (e.g. glycogen, high energy phosphates) will ultimately determine the frequency of maximal performance. This article reviews the types of metabolic, acid base, and endocrine disturbances associated with exhaustive exercise in rainbow trout, the mechanism(s) of recovery, and their regulation. In particular, the roles of catecholamines and cortisol in regulating recovery metabolism are explored.