Limb blood flow while wearing aircrew chemical defense ensembles in the heat with and without auxiliary cooling.

The effect of auxiliary air cooling on endurance time and limb blood flow in the heat (37 degrees C, 50% r.h., target time = 150 min) while wearing aircrew chemical defense (CD) ensembles was examined. Eight males were dressed in aircrew CD ensembles with or without an air-cooled vest. After an initial 10 min treadmill walk and 20 min of seated rest, the subjects alternately rested and exercised on a cycle ergometer (10 min rest, 10 min exercise) resulting in an overall metabolic rate of 240 W. Arm and leg blood flow (ABF, LBF), determined by venous occlusion plethysmography, were significantly lower with air cooling (AC) than with no cooling (NC) during the same time period (p less than 0.05). Endurance time was much greater with AC than with NC (150 min AC vs. 92 +/- 0.08 min NC, p less than 0.01). Arm and calf skin temperatures, rectal temperature and heart rate were all significantly lower with AC than with NC (p less than 0.05) after the onset of the cycle exercise. The results show that the use of the air-cooled vest under these conditions was able to increase heat tolerance and reduce blood flow to the periphery.     

Effect of hand-arm exercise on venous blood constituents during leg exercise

To test the hypothesis that ancillary arm and hand exercise would change the values of antecubital blood constituents during leg exercise, seven healthy men (19-27 yrs) performed static (10% of a maximal voluntary contraction) or dynamic (60 finger flexions/min) hand-arm exercise with one hand during submaximal leg exercise (50% V2 max) in the supine position. Venous blood was analyzed for serum Na+, K+, osmolality, albumin, total Ca2+, and glucose; blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, and lactic acid; and change in plasma volume. During leg exercise there were no significant differences in these blood constituents between right and left arms at rest. Only glucose and lactate were affected by additional arm exercise. Compared with resting arm values during leg exercise, glucose decreased from 4.7 to 4.5 mmol/l (delta = 4%, P less than 0.05) and lactate increased from 2.0 to 2.4 mmol/l (delta = 20%, P less than 0.05) during static arm exercise. With dynamic arm exercise, glucose decreased from a resting level of 4.8 to 4.7 mmol/l (delta = 2%, P less than 0.05). We conclude that additional static or dynamic hand-forearm exercise accompanying leg exercise could introduce significant errors in glucose (2%-4%) and lactic acid (6%-20%) concentrations measured in venous blood.     

Comparison of the forearm and calf blood flow response to thermal stress during dynamic exercise.

To examine the hypothesis that the skin blood flow response to body heating is not uniform over the entire body surface, we compared forearm (FBF) and calf (CBF) blood flow responses to an increase in core temperature (esophageal temperature, Tes) during dynamic exercise. We studied 13 physically active men during semi-recumbent one leg exercise and/or intermittent supine cycle exercise at 35 degrees C. During 30 min of one leg exercise, Tes, FBF, and CBF in the nonactive leg increased from 36.94 +/- 0.09 degrees C, 5.7 +/- 1.2, and 5.6 +/- 0.6 ml.(min.100 ml)-1 at rest to 37.97 +/- 0.10 degrees C, 27.0 +/- 2.4, and 11.1 +/- 0.8 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively. The increase in blood flow per unit increase in Tes was much less in the calf than in the forearm. The ratio of the peak to resting blood flow averaged 6.5 in the forearm and 2.5 in the calf. During 60 min of intermittent supine two leg exercise, Tes, FBF, and CBF increased from 36.96 +/- 0.06 degrees C, 7.9 +/- 1.5, and 5.6 +/- 0.7 ml.(min.100 ml)-1 at rest to 37.91 +/- 0.07 degrees C, 23.6 +/- 3.0, and 11.4 +/- 1.9 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively. Skin blood flow (SkBF) in the forearm and calf was estimated by using a simple cylindrical model, assuming skin thickness and resting muscle blood flow to be 0.2 cm and 2 ml.(min.100 ml)-1, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of dehydration on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal distress while running

Gastrointestinal distress is commonly reported by athletes after ingestion of a beverage. We speculate that ingestion may be occurring after dehydration has taken place. The high prevalence of GI disorders in marathon runners who have lost greater than or equal to 4% body weight supports this theory. To test this theory, the effects of dehydration, and dehydration in combination with endurance running, on gastric emptying (GE) and frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints were tested in this experiment. A complete cross-over study was designed. Sixteen subjects ingested 8 ml.kg BW-1 of a 7% carbohydrate (296 mOsm.kg-1), solution after a euhydration or dehydration regime. Dehydration (4% BW loss) was produced by 60% maximal speed running at 30 degrees C or by intermittent sauna exposure at 100 degrees C. Euhydration experiments were conducted with a 2 h rest period with water administered at 20 and 40 min. Gastric drink volumes were measured every 10 min for 40 min. Emptying curves were compared using semi-log transformation of the percentage emptying data and simple linear regression. The slope of each line was used as a measure of average GE rate. Dehydration-exercise resulted in slower GE than in all other treatments (P less than 0.05). ANOVA revealed significant effects of dehydration (P less than 0.05) and exercise (P less than 0.05), these two effects being additive in delaying GE. GI complaints were reported by 37.5% of the subjects during dehydration-exercise experiments. No GI disturbance was reported in other tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Foot impact force and intravascular hemolysis during distance running

This study was designed to examine the relationship between foot impact force and the magnitudes of the changes in markers of intravascular hemolysis during distance running. Fourteen male distance runners (VO2 max = 66.1 +/- 5.0 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean +/- SD) completed two treadmill runs and a resting control procedure. The two treadmill tests involved running at 215 m.min-1 for 10,000 footstrikes at elevations of either +6% (uphill) or -6% (downhill). Mean foot impact force was 11% greater with the downhill than the uphill running. The three procedures were ordered randomly and separated by 7 days. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), plasma free hemoglobin (PFHb), and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations were assayed in blood samples collected via venipuncture 15 min and immediately before exercise, and immediately, 1 h, and 2 h after the exercise. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that Hp was significantly decreased and PFHb was significantly increased after treadmill running (P less than 0.05) and that these changes were significantly greater with downhill than uphill running (P less than 0.05). These findings support the theory that mechanical trauma to red blood cells occurring at footstrike is a major cause of hemolysis during running.     

Effects of cryotherapy after contusion using real-time intravital microscopy

PURPOSE: To examine effects of local tissue cooling on contusion-induced microvascular hemodynamics and leukocytes behavior using real-time intravital microscopy. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (N = 21, 130-150 g) were randomly assigned to intensive cooling group (3 degrees C, N = 7), a moderate cooling group (27 degrees C, N = 7), or control group (37 degrees C, N = 7). Contusion was induced by dropping a plastic ball on exposed cremaster muscle. After 5 min, the cremaster muscle was superfused with a saline solution for 10 min at controlled temperature of either 3 degrees C (cooling), 27 degrees C (moderate cooling), or 37 degrees C (control). Microvascular hemodynamics (vessel internal diameter, blood flow rate and erythrocyte velocity) and leukocyte behavior (rolling and adhesion) were measured from recorded videotapes in the same venules before and after contusion, and after cooling. RESULTS: Cooling-induced vasoconstriction was marked at 3 degrees C and moderate at 27 degrees C compared with that at 37 degrees C. Blood flow rate and erythrocyte velocity were markedly lower at 3 degrees C compared to 37 degrees C. At 27 degrees C, erythrocyte velocity was higher than that at 37 degrees C, but blood flow rate was maintained at a level similar to that at 37 degrees C. The number of rolling and adhering leukocytes at 3 degrees C and 27 degrees C were significantly less than at 37 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that local tissue cooling, similar to cryotherapy, improves edema and inflammatory reaction, and may be useful for reducing inflammatory response without inhibiting blood flow after contusion.     

Leg heating and cooling influences running stride parameters but not running economy

To evaluate the effect of temperature on running economy (RE) and stride parameters in 10 trained male runners (VO2peak 60.8 +/- 6.8 ml . kg (-1) . min (-1)), we used water immersion as a passive temperature manipulation to contrast localised pre-heating, pre-cooling, and thermoneutral interventions prior to running. Runners completed three 10-min treadmill runs at 70 % VO2peak following 40 min of randomised leg immersion in water at 21.0 degrees C (cold), 34.6 degrees C (thermoneutral), or 41.8 degrees C (hot). Treadmill runs were separated by 7 days. External respiratory gas exchange was measured for 30 s before and throughout the exercise and stride parameters were determined from video analysis in the sagittal plane. RE was not affected by prior heating or cooling with no difference in oxygen cost or energy expenditure between the temperature interventions (average VO2 3rd-10th min of exercise: C, 41.6 +/- 3.4 ml . kg (-1) . min (-1); TN, 41.6 +/- 3.0; H, 41.8 +/- 3.5; p = 0.94). Exercise heart rate was affected by temperature (H > TN > C; p < 0.001). During minutes 3 - 5 of running the respiratory-exchange and minute ventilation/oxygen consumption ratios were greater in cold compared with thermoneutral (p < 0.05). Averaged over the full 10 min of exercise, stride length was shorter and stride frequency higher for the C trial compared to TN and H (p < 0.01). Leg temperature manipulation did not influence running economy despite changes in stride parameters that might indicate restricted muscle-tendon elasticity after pre-cooling. Larger changes in stride mechanics than those produced by the current temperature intervention are required to influence running economy.     

Fluid replacement during hypothermia

Hypothermia produces acidosis, depressed cardiac function, hypovolemia and hypotension. This study was designed to examine the cardiovascular dynamics involved with restoration of the hypovolemia before rewarming. Mixed breed splenectomized adult dogs (n = 16) were anesthetized with pentobarbital and cooled to a right atrial temperature of 25 degrees C at a rate of 3 degrees C X h-1. The animals were maintained at 25 degrees C for 6 h and rewarmed at 3 degrees C X h-1. Group 1 was given no fluid, Group 2 was given saline (20% of plasma volume infused in 10 min). 2 h after reaching 25 degrees C and Group 3 received saline just prior to rewarming. The hematocrit was elevated in all groups (p less than 0.05) upon cooling, but did not differ between groups even after saline was given. Cardiac output (Co) at 25 degrees C was 35% of precooled values. Group 2 increased their Q by 15% with fluid and this Q was maintained at higher levels than Groups 1 or 3 for the next 4 h. Plasma volume, heart rate, and cardiac contractility returned to control levels upon rewarming, but Q remained low (less than 10%). The level of Q at the start of rewarming did not affect the final level of Q.     

Leg vascular responsiveness during acute orthostasis following simulated weightlessness

Ten men (35-49 years old) underwent lower body negative pressure (LBNP) exposures before and after 10 d of continuous 6 degrees head-down bedrest in order to predict the effect of weightlessness on the responsiveness of leg vasculature to an orthostatic stress. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and impedance rheographic indices of arterial pulse volume (APV) of the legs were measured during rest and at 1 min of -30 mm Hg LBNP. Bedrest-induced deconditioning was manifested by decreases (p less than 0.05) in plasma volume (17%), peak oxygen uptake (16%), and LBNP tolerance (17%). Resting HR was unchanged after bedrest, but HR was higher (p less than 0.05) at 1 min of -30 mm Hg LBNP after, compared with before, bedrest. Responses of MAP to -30 mm Hg LBNP were not altered by bedrest. Resting APV was decreased (p less than 0.05) by simulated weightlessness. However, APV was reduced (p less than 0.05) from rest to 1 min -30 mm Hg LBNP by the same relative magnitude before and after bedrest (-21.4 +/- 3.4% and -20.5 +/- 2.7%, respectively). We conclude that peripheral arterial vasoconstriction, as indicated by reductions in APV during LBNP, was not affected by bedrest. These results suggest that there was no apparent alteration in responsiveness of the leg vasculature following simulated weightlessness. Therefore, it appears unlikely that control mechanisms of peripheral resistance contribute significantly to reduced orthostatic tolerance following spaceflight.     

Whole-body energy mapping under physical exercise using positron emission tomography

We attempted to visualize dynamic adjustment of glucose utilization in humans in the whole-body organs during physical exercise by using three-dimensional positron emission tomography (3D-PET) and [18F]-2-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG). Twelve healthy male volunteers collaborated on the study; six subjects were assigned to the resting control group (C) and the other six to the running group (E). Group E subjects performed running on a flat road for 35 min. After 15 min of running, subjects injected FDG and kept on running thereafter for another 20 min. Group C subjects sat on a comfortable chair in a quiet room for 35 min after the injection of FDG. After scanning by PET, the regions of interest (ROIs) were manually set on brain, heart, thorax, abdomen, lower extremities, and the rest of the body on the corresponding transaxial images. The uptake of FDG in each region was evaluated as the % fraction of FDG accumulation relative to the total amount of whole-body accumulation. The results revealed increase of FDG uptake after running in the lower leg muscles from 24.6 +/- 9.5% to 43.1 +/- 4.7% and in the heart from 2.3 +/- 0.4% to 2.8 +/- 0.6%. The differences were significant (P < 0.05). These increases reflect the rise in energy consumption in leg and heart muscles and were balanced by the reduction of energy consumption in the other part of the body. FDG uptake in the abdominal region reduced from 37.3 +/- 7.2% to 19.7 +/- 4.9%. However, FDG uptake in the brain remained stable, i.e., 11.9 +/- 2.8% at rest and 10.3 +/- 2.5% after exercise. Thus, 3D-PET is a tool to visualize the dynamic adjustment of energy consumption during physical exercise in humans.     

Human temperature regulation during exercise after oral pyridostigmine administration

Four healthy males exercised in two experiments at ambient temperatures of 22, 29, and 36 degrees C with the relative humidity at 30% in all environments (Tdp = 3.9, 9.9, and 15.8 degrees C). One experiment in each environment was done 150 min after 30 mg oral pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) administration, and the second experiment was done on a separate day with no medication (CON). Red blood cell cholinesterase was 39 +/- 7% lower after PYR (11.8 vs 7.2 micromol.ml-1.min-1). Esophageal (Tes) and mean skin temperature (Tsk), forearm blood flow (FBF), forearm sweating, and skin blood flow (SkBF) were measured twice each minute during a 15-min rest period and during 30-min of seated cycle exercise at approximately 58% Vo2peak. Whole body sweating was determined from weight changes before and after exercise. PYR decreased heart rate at rest and during exercise at 29 degrees C and 36 degrees C (8bpm, p less than 0.05). Resting SkBF was 40% lower at 29 degrees C and 30% lower at 36 degrees C after PYR compared to CON (p less than 0.05). There was no effect of PYR on heat production at rest or during exercise. Tsk was different in the three conditions by design, but was unchanged by PYR. Tes was not different at rest in any condition, but was elevated during exercise at 36 degrees C (0.1 degree C, p less than 0.05) in PYR compared to CON. These data suggest that pyridostigmine ingestion decreased skin blood flow, which may limit exercise thermoregulation in more severe environments.     

Fat utilization enhanced by exercise in a cold environment

To study substrate utilization during cold temperature exercise, seven men dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and light gloves performed 60 min of continuous cycle ergometer exercise at -10 degrees C and 22 degrees C. The workload at both temperatures represented 66% of the cycle-measured maximal heart rate. Oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured at rest and during 60 min of exercise. Rates of total and fat energy utilization (kJ X min-1) during exercise were calculated from VO2 and RER. A two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that at rest oxygen consumption averaged 56% higher and RER 5% lower at -10 degrees C. During exercise, oxygen consumption averaged 10% higher (P less than 0.05), and RER averaged 2% lower (P less than 0.05) at -10 degrees C. The rates of total energy use (mean +/- SD = 39.3 +/- 1.2 vs 35.7 +/- 1.3 kJ X min-1; P less than 0.05) were significantly higher at -10 degrees C than at 22 degrees C. In addition, the rate of fat use increased significantly in both groups after 30 min of exercise. The cumulative total energy expenditure for 60 min of exercise was 13% higher (2379 +/- 308 vs 2110 +/- 415 kJ; P less than 0.05 and the cumulative fat expenditure was 35% higher (979 +/- 209 vs 724 +/- 184 kJ: P less than 0.05) in the cold environment. These results indicate that a cold environment can significantly enhance fat utilization during endurance exercise.     

The effect of starting or stopping skin cooling on the thermoregulatory responses during leg exercise in humans

To assess the effects of starting or stopping leg cooling on the thermoregulatory responses during exercise, 60 min of cycling exercise at 30% of maximal oxygen uptake was performed under 4 conditions using tube trouser perfused with water at 10 °C; no leg cooling (NC), starting of leg cooling after 30 min of exercise (delayed cooling, DC), continuous leg cooling (CC), and stopping of continuous leg cooling after 30 min of exercise (SC) at an environmental temperature of 28.5 °C. During exercise under the DC conditions, an instantaneous increase in the esophageal temperature (Tes), a suppression of the cutaneous vascular conductance at the forearm (%CVC), and a decrease in the mean skin temperature (Tsk) were observed after leg cooling. The total sweat loss (Δm sw,tot) was lower under the DC than the NC condition. In the SC study, however, the Tes remained constant, while the %CVC increased gradually after leg cooling was stopped, and the Δm sw,tot was greater than that under the CC condition. These results suggest that during exercise, rapid skin cooling of the leg may cause an increase in core temperature, while also enhancing thermal stress. However, stopping skin cooling did not significantly affect the core temperature long-term, because the skin blood flow and sweat rate subsequently increased.     

Beta-adrenergic blockade and myocardial perfusion in coronary artery disease: differential effects in stenotic versus remote myocardial segments.

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents are widely used in coronary artery disease (CAD), although their impact on myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) remains unclear. We studied the effect of long-term beta-blocker treatment (carvedilol or metoprolol) on coronary microcirculation in CAD patients using PET. METHODS: Regional and global resting and adenosine-induced hyperemic MBF and CFR were measured with 13N-ammonia and PET in 36 CAD patients before and after 12 wk of oral therapy with either carvedilol, 50 mg/d, or metoprolol, 100 mg/d. RESULTS: Beta-blockade decreased global resting MBF in proportion to cardiac work (from 0.86 +/- 0.20 to 0.77 +/- 0.14 mL/min/g, P < 0.05) without affecting global hyperemic flow. Hyperemic MBF was significantly lower in stenosis-dependent segments than in remote segments (1.76 +/- 0.64 vs. 2.04 +/- 0.67 mL/min/g, P < 0.05) at baseline but was comparable in both after treatment (2.02 +/- 0.68 vs. 1.90 +/- 0.78 mL/min/g, P = not statistically significant [NS]), resulting in a significant CFR increase in stenotic segments (+15%, P < 0.05) but not in remote segments (+9%, P = NS). CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect of beta-adrenergic blockade can be explained by the reduction in oxygen consumption (= decreased demand) but also by a modest improvement in vasodilator capacity (= increased supply). The improvement in CFR is found predominantly in stenosis-dependent rather than remote segments.     

Effects of short-term training on cardiac function during prolonged exercise

To determine the relationship between the training-induced increases in plasma volume (PV) and alterations in cardiac performance during prolonged submaximal cycle exercise, seven male subjects were studied prior to and following a short-term (3 d) training period (2 h.d-1 at 65% VO2max). Mean (range) VO2max was 3.42 l.min-1 (2.96-3.87). Training resulted in a 20% increase (P less than 0.05) in plasma volume (PV) and a 12% increase (P less than 0.05) in total blood volume (TBV). In contrast, training had no effect (P greater than 0.05) in altering exercise VO2, VCO2, VE BTPS, or RER. Cardiac output (Q) was higher (P less than 0.05) posttraining at all exercise sampling times (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). The elevations in Q were accompanied by an average decrease (P less than 0.05) in stroke volume (SV) of 22 ml. Arteriovenous O2 (a-v O2) difference was depressed (P less than 0.05) during exercise following the training. Although elevations (P less than 0.05) in core temperature (degrees C) occurred during the exercise, the training-induced PV increases did not affect thermoregulatory behavior. These results indicate that an early adaptive response to exercise training is an elevation in Q, an increase in SV, and a reduction in HR. These effects persist during prolonged exercise in spite of the progressive increase in body heat content. It is proposed that the increase in Q serves primarily to increase muscle blood flow and maintain arterial O2 delivery, while the altered cardiodynamic behavior serves to increase cardiac reserve, providing a greater tolerance to prolonged heavy exercise.     

Cutaneous blood flow rate in areas with and without arterovenous anastomoses during exercise

In 10 healthy subjects, skin blood flow rate was measured in the thumb pulp by the heat-washout method, and in the skin fold between the thum and the forefinger by the ¹³³Xe-washout method. The former but not the latter skin area contains arterovenous anastomoses (AVAs). In response to 10 min moderate cycle exercise, an instantaneous decrease in flow was seen in the thumb pulp followed after about 4.6 min by an increase to resting levels. Blood flow in the skin fold remained constant. The results indicate that the initial reduction in blood flow rate and later increase observed in the finger at the onset of moderate exercise take place in the AVAs and not in the capillaries.     

Effects of leg press training on cycling, leg press, and running peak cardiorespiratory measures

Six males and seven females trained 3 d per wk (30 min at 80 to 85% heart rate reserve) for 20 wk on a leg press apparatus. A progressive exercise test was administered on a cycle ergometer, leg press apparatus, and treadmill before and after training. Before training, peak oxygen consumption (VO2, ml X kg-1 X min-1) during the leg press test was higher for the males (23.9 +/- 1.60, mean +/- SE) compared to the females (19.5 +/- 2.40, P less than or equal to 0.05). Peak VO2 during the cycling (males = 36.6 +/- 2.65, females = 28.5 +/- 2.35) and treadmill (males = 39.8 +/- 2.04, females = 33.2 +/- 2.64) tests was also different between the sexes, and 30 to 40% higher than during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). Peak heart rate (beats X min-1) was not different between the sexes (P greater than 0.05), yet was 11% lower during the leg press test (165 +/- 3.5) compared to the cycling (184 +/- 2.8) and treadmill (187 +/- 1.3) tests (P less than or equal to 0.05). After training, peak VO2 during the cycling and treadmill tests increased 10 to 15%, compared to 35% during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). The only change in peak heart rate was a 6% increase during the leg press test (P less than or equal to 0.05). Although peak VO2 on the leg press apparatus was lower than on the cycle ergometer and treadmill, leg press exercise elicited a sufficient stimulus for increasing peak VO2 on the three testing modes.     

Aging, exercise, and limb vascular heterogeneity in humans

Unlike quadrupeds, human limbs are exposed to differing homeostatic challenges and uses, which results in significant functional heterogeneity between the arms and legs. In these ACSM symposium proceedings, we report findings from three studies with the overall aim of investigating between-limb vascular differences through evaluation of arm (brachial artery) and leg (common, superficial, and deep femoral arteries) limb blood flow (ultrasound Doppler) during isolated-limb-specific exercise and after postcuff occlusion hyperemia. In a study of young, trained cyclists, a substantial conduit vessel vasodilation (deep femoral artery, approximately 9%) was observed during exercise, but responsiveness normalized to shear stimuli was still less than a conduit vessel in the arm. A subsequent aging study did not demonstrate any significant difference in resting leg or arm blood flow between young and old subjects when flow was normalized for muscle mass. However, we observed an approximately 10-15% reduction in exercising leg blood flow and vascular conductance in these older subjects, whereas exercising arm blood flow was similar between age groups. A separate aging study evaluated age-related changes in flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), with the older group enrolled in a 6-wk knee-extensor exercise training program. Before training, a significant FMD was observed in the arm of young (3 +/- 1%) but not old (1 +/- 1%) subjects, and a significant leg FMD was observed in both groups. However, pretraining arm vasodilation was similar between young and old when normalized for shear rate. Exercise training significantly improved arm FMD (5 +/- 1%), whereas leg FMD was unchanged. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a significant between-limb vascular heterogeneity in humans that is influenced by age and by exercise training.     

Effects of a 24-h CHO-poor diet on metabolic and hormonal responses during prolonged CHO-loaded leg exercise

This study examined the effects of a pre-experimental period of arm exercise followed by a 24-h carbohydrate (CHO)-poor intake, intended to reduce initial hepatic glycogen levels, on substrate and endocrine responses during prolonged CHO-loaded leg exercise. Seven subjects pedaled a cycle ergometer for 60 min at 62% VO2 max in the two following conditions: 1) after leg CHO loading followed by a 60-min arm exercise and a 24-h CHO-poor diet (CHOL + P), and 2) after leg CHO loading only (CHOL). Greater blood concentrations of fatty acids (1.2 vs 0.9 mEq X L-1), glycerol (0.41 vs 0.20 mmol X L-1), norepinephrine (2.09 vs 1.14 ng X ml-1), and epinephrine (0.38 vs 0.19 ng X ml-1) were observed in the CHOL + P as compared to the CHOL condition at min 60 of exercise. Insulin concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the CHOL + P condition at rest and during exercise. There were no significant differences during exercise between the two conditions in blood glucose, lactate, glucagon, and cortisol concentrations. It is concluded that changes in blood glucose concentration do not solely account for metabolic and hormonal adaptations during prolonged leg exercise and that a pre-experimental period of arm exercise and CHO-poor diet, in spite of an increase in leg muscle glycogen, may provide a stimulus for such adaptations. It is suggested that the liver glycogen content may be involved in the regulatory mechanism.     

Stretch- and H-reflexes of the lower leg during whole body cooling and local warming

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate if possible changes in stretch- and H-reflexes could be related to the changes in the EMG activity of the cooled lower leg muscles observed during a stretch-shortening cycle exercise. METHODS: Eight subjects wearing shorts and jogging shoes were exposed once to 27 degrees C and twice to 10 degrees C for 60 min each. During the second exposure to 10 degrees C, the subject's lower legs were kept warm (10 degrees Clw) with electrical pillows. After the exposures Achilles tendon reflex (stretch reflex) was induced and the EMG activity of the triceps surae was measured. Immediately after reflex measurements the EMG activity of the triceps surae and tibialis anterior during a drop-jump (stretch-shortening cycle) was measured. After similar thermal exposures electrically induced H-reflex from the calf was measured. RESULTS: During the preactivity and stretch phases the EMG activity of the triceps surae increased after the exposure to 10 degrees C, whereas during the shortening phase it decreased. During the shortening phase cooling, on the contrary, increased the activity of tibialis surae anterior. These changes disappeared at 10 degrees Clw. At 10 degrees C the maximum EMG-amplitude of triceps surae during stretch reflex decreased (p<0.05), reflecting suppressed muscle spindle activity. Suppressed spindle activity causes the agonist to be unfacilitated and the antagonist muscle contraction to be uninhibited, which was seen in the present study as decreased agonist and increased antagonist EMG activity during the shortening phase at 10 degrees C. The Hmax/Mmax-ratio, H-reflex latency and amplitude increased at 10 degrees C (p<0.05), reflecting increased motoneuron pool excitability. This in part may explain the increased EMG activity during the preactivity and stretch phases. CONCLUSION: Cooling-induced increase in the excitability of the motoneuron pool and suppression of muscle spindle activity seem to be responsible of the EMG activity changes during the stretch-shortening cycle, consequently decreasing muscular performance.