A cycle ergometer test of maximal aerobic power

Summary An indirect test of maximal aerobic power (IMAP) was evaluated in 31 healthy male subjects by comparing it with a direct treadmill measurement of maximal aerobic power ( O₂ max), with the prediction of O₂ max from heart rate during submaximal exercise on a cycle ergometer using åstrand's nomogram, with the British Army's Basic Fitness Test (BFT, a 2.4 km run performed in boots and trousers), and with a test of maximum anaerobic power. For the IMAP test, subjects pedalled on a cycle ergometer at 75 revs·min^–1. The workload was 37.5 watts for the first minute, and was increased by 37.5 watts every minute until the subject could not continue. Time to exhaustion was recorded. Predicted O₂ max and times for BFT and IMAP correlated significantly (p<0.001) with the direct O₂ max: r=0.70, r=0.67 and r=0.79 respectively. The correlation between direct O₂ max and the maximum anaerobic power test was significant (p<0.05) but lower, r=0.44. Although lactate levels after direct O₂ max determination were significantly higher than those after the IMAP test, maximum heart rates were not significantly different. Submaximal O₂ values measured during the IMAP test yielded a regression equation relating O₂ max and pedalling time. When individual values for direct and predicted O₂ max and times for BFT and IMAP were compared with equivalent standards, the percentages of subjects able to exceed the standard were 100, 65, 87, and 87 respectively. These data demonstrate that the IMAP test provides a valid estimate of O₂ max and indicate that it may be a practical test for establishing that an individual meets a minimum standard.     

Muscle function during brief maximal exercise: accurate measurements on a friction-loaded cycle ergometer

A friction loaded cycle ergometer was instrumented with a strain gauge and an incremental encoder to obtain accurate measurement of human mechanical work output during the acceleration phase of a cycling sprint. This device was used to characterise muscle function in a group of 15 well-trained male subjects, asked to perform six short maximal sprints on the cycle against a constant friction load. Friction loads were successively set at 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55, 0.65 and 0.75 N·kg^–1 body mass. Since the sprints were performed from a standing start, and since the acceleration was not restricted, the greatest attention was paid to the measurement of the acceleration balancing load due to flywheel inertia. Instantaneous pedalling velocity (v) and power output (P) were calculated each 5 ms and then averaged over each downstroke period so that each pedal downstroke provided a combination of v, force and P. Since an 8-s acceleration phase was composed of about 21 to 34 pedal downstrokes, this many v-P combinations were obtained amounting to 137–180 v-P combinations for all six friction loads in one individual, over the widest functional range of pedalling velocities (17–214 rpm). Thus, the individual's muscle function was characterised by the v-P relationships obtained during the six acceleration phases of the six sprints. An important finding of the present study was a strong linear relationship between individual optimal velocity (v _opt) and individual maximal power output (P _max) (n = 15, r = 0.95, P < 0.001) which has never been observed before. Since v _opt has been demonstrated to be related to human fibre type composition both v _opt, P _max and their inter-relationship could represent a major feature in characterising muscle function in maximal unrestricted exercise. It is suggested that the present method is well suited to such analyses.     

Oxygen uptake as related to work rate increment during cycle ergometer exercise

Summary We postulated that the commonly observed constant linear relationship between and work rate during cycle ergometry to exhaustion is fortuitous and not due to an unchanging cost of external work. Therefore we measured continuously in 10 healthy men during such exercise while varying the rate of work incrementation and analyzed by linear regression techniques the relationship between and work rate ( / wr). After excluding the first and last portions of each test we found the mean ±SD of the / wr in ml · min^–1· W^–1 to be 11.2±0.15, 10.2±0.16, and 8.8±0.15 for the 15, 30, and 60 W·min^–1 tests, respectively, expressed as ml·J^–1 the values were 0.187±0.0025, 0.170±0.0027 and 0.147±0.0025. The slopes of the lower halves of the 15 and 30 W·min^–1 tests were 9.9±0.2 ml·min^–1·W^–1 similar to the values for aerobic work reported by others. However the upper halves of the 15, 30, and 60 W·min^–1 tests demonstrated significant differences: 12.4±0.36 vs 10.5±0.31 vs 8.7±0.23 ml·min^–1·W^–1 respectively. We postulate that these systematic differences are due to two opposing influences: 1) the fraction of energy from anaerobic sources is larger in the brief 60 W·min^–1 tests and 2) the increased energy requirement per W of heavy work is evident especially in the long 15 W·min^–1 tests.     

Effects of moderate hyperoxia on oxygen consumption during submaximal and maximal exercise

The present study examined the effect of hyperoxia on oxygen uptake (V˙O₂) and on maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max) during incremental exercise (IE) and constant work rate exercise (CWRE). Ten subjects performed IE on a bicycle ergometer under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions (30% oxygen). They also performed four 12-min bouts of CWRE at 40, 55, 70 and 85% of normoxic V˙O_2max (ex1, ex2, ex3 and ex4, respectively) in normoxia and in hyperoxia. V˙O_2max was significantly improved by 15.0 (15.2)% under hyperoxia, while performance (maximum workload, W _max) was improved by only +4.5 (3.0)%. During IE, the slope of the linear regression relating V˙O₂ to work rate was significantly steeper in hyperoxia than in normoxia [10.80 (0.88) vs 10.06 (0.66) ml·min^–1·W^–1]. During CWRE, we found a higher V˙O₂ at ex1, ex2, ex3 and ex4, and a higher V˙O₂ slow component at ex4 under hyperoxia. We have shown that breathing hyperoxic gas increases V˙O_2max, but to an extent that is difficult to explain by an increase in oxygen supply alone. Changes in metabolic response, fibre type recruitment and V˙O₂ of non-exercising tissue could explain the additional V˙O₂ for a given submaximal work rate under hyperoxia. Electronic Publication     

Peak power output predicts maximal oxygen uptake and performance time in trained cyclists

Summary The purposes of this study were firstly to determine the relationship between the peak power output (W _peak) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) attained during a laboratory cycling test to exhaustion, and secondly to assess the relationship betweenW _peak and times in a 20-km cycling trial. One hundred trained cyclists (54 men, 46 women) participated in the first part of this investigation. Each cyclist performed a minimum of one maximal test during whichW _max andVO_2max were determined. For the second part of the study 19 cyclists completed a maximal test for the determination ofW _peak, and also a 20-km cycling time trial. Highly significant relationships were obtained betweenW _peak andVO_2max (r=0.97,P<0.0001) and betweenW _peak and 20-km cycle time (r= –0.91,P<0.001). Thus,W _peak explained 94% of the variance in measuredVO_2max and 82% of the variability in cycle time over 20 km. We concluded that for trained cyclists, theVO_2max can be accurately predicted fromW _peak, and thatW _peak is a valid predictor of 20-km cycle time.     

Heart rate threshold related to lactate turn point and steady-state exercise on a cycle ergometer

The aim of this study was to investigate heart rate threshold (HRT) related exercise intensities by means of two endurance cycle ergometer tests using blood lactate concentration. [La], pulmonary ventilation ( _E), oxygen uptake ( ), heart rate (HR) and electromyogram (EMG) activity of working muscle. Firstly, 16 healthy female students [age, 21.4 (SD 2.8) years; height, 167.1 (SD 5.1) cm; body mass 62.7 (SD 7.1) kg] performed an incremental exercise test (10 W each minute) on an electrically braked cycle ergometer until they felt exhausted. The HRT and lactate turn point (LTP) were assessed by means of computer-aided linear regression break point analysis from the relationship of HR or [La] to power output. No significant difference was found between HRT and LTP for all the variables measured. Secondly, two endurance tests (ET) of 20 min duration were performed by 7 subjects. The first (ET I) was performed at an exercise intensity which was about 10% lower than the power output at HRT [61.2 (SD 3.1) % maximal oxygen uptake ( _max)], the second (ET II) at an exercise intensity about 10% higher than the power output at HRT [79.2 (SD 3.4) % _max]. The parameters measured showed a clear steady state in ET I. All mean values were lower than values at HRT [power, 138.7 (SD 18.9) W; HR, 172.1 (SD 4.7) beats·min^–1; , 2.2 (SD 0.3) l·min^–1; _E, 54.0 (SD 9.1) l·min^–1; [La], 3.7 (SD 1.1) mmol·l^–1; EMG, 81.1 (SD 24.0) V] except HR which was the same. No parameters showed a steady state (except EMG activity) in ET II. No subject was able to maintain the exercise for the whole 20 min in ET II [mean time to cessation of the exercise was 10.4 (SD 3.7) min]. At the end of ET II all variables measured were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in ET I (except EMG activity) [HR, 184.3 (SD 5.2) and 172.1 (SD 8.7) beats·min^–1; _E: 75.2 (SD 11.7) and 49.6 (SD 8.4) l·min^–1; , 2.9 (SD 0.7) and 2.1 (SD 0.5) l·min^–1; [La], 7.0 (SD 1.8) and 3.3 (SD 2.2) mmol·l^–1; EMG, 86.3 (SD 28.7) and 75.9 (SD 21.5) V]. Although no exercise, at HRT exactly was performed, we assume that maximal steady state lay in between ET I and ET II.     

A new approach to assessing maximal aerobic power in children: the Odense School Child Study

Summary In two experiments maximal aerobic power calculated from maximal mechanical power (W _max) was evaluated in 39 children aged 9–11 years. A maximal multi-stage cycle ergometer exercise test was used with an increase in work load every 3 min. In the first experiment oxygen consumption was measured in 18 children during each of the prescribed work loads and a correction factor was calculated to estimate using the equation . An appropriate increase in work rate based on height was determined for boys (0.16 W · cm^–1) and girls (0.15 W · cm^–1) respectively. In the second experiment 21 children performed a maximal cycle ergometer exercise test twice. In addition to the procedure in the first experiment a similar exercise test was performed, but without measurement of oxygen uptake. Calculated correlated significantly (p<0.01) with those values measured in both boys (r=0.90) and girls (r=0.95) respectively, and the standard error of estimation for (calculated) on (measured) wass less than 3.2%. Two expressions of relative work load (% and %W _max) were established and found to be closely correlated. The relative work load in % could be predicted from the relative work load in % W _max with an average standard error of 3.8%. The data demonstrate that calculated based on a maximal multi-stage exercise test provides an accurate and valid estimate of      

Oxygen uptake kinetics and maximal aerobic power are unaffected by inspiratory muscle training in healthy subjects where time to exhaustion is extended

The aim of this study was to determine whether 4 weeks of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) would be accompanied by alteration in cardiopulmonary fitness as assessed through moderate intensity oxygen uptake (O₂) kinetics and maximal aerobic power (O_2max). Eighteen healthy males agreed to participate in the study [training group (Tra) n=10, control group (Con) n=8]. Measurements of spirometry and maximal static inspiratory mouth pressure (PI_max) were taken pre- and post-training in addition to: (1) an incremental test to volitional exhaustion, (2) three square-wave transitions from walking to running at a moderate intensity (80% ventilatory threshold) and (3) a maximal aerobic constant-load running test to volitional fatigue for the determination of time to exhaustion (T_lim). Training was performed using an inspiratory muscle trainer (Powerbreathe). There were no significant differences in spirometry either between the two groups or when comparing the post- to pre-training results within each group. Mean PI_max increased significantly in Tra (P<0.01) and showed a trend for improvement (P<0.08) in Con. Post-training T_lim was significantly extended in both Tra [232.4 (22.8) s and 242.8 (20.1) s] (P<0.01) and Con [224.5 (19.6) and 233.5 (12.7) s] (P<0.05). Post-training T_lim was significantly extended in Tra compared to Con (P<0.05). In conclusion, the most plausible explanation for the stability in O₂ kinetics and O_2max following IMT is that it is due to insufficient whole-body stress to elicit either central or peripheral cardiopulmonary adaptation. The extension of post-training T_lim suggests that IMT might be useful as a stratagem for producing greater volumes of endurance work at high ventilatory loads, which in turn could improve cardiopulmonary fitness.     

Effect of prior metabolic rate on the kinetics of oxygen uptake during moderate-intensity exercise

Pulmonary oxygen uptake ( ) dynamics during moderate-intensity exercise are often assumed to be dynamically linear (i.e. neither the gain nor the time constant (τ) of the response varies as a function of work rate). However, faster, slower and unchanged kinetics have been reported during work-to-work transitions compared to rest-to-work transitions, all within the moderate-intensity domain. In an attempt to resolve these discrepancies and to improve the confidence of the parameter estimation, we determined the response dynamics using the averaged response to repeated exercise bouts in seven healthy male volunteers. Each subject initially performed a ramp-incremental exercise test for the estimation of the lactate threshold ( ). They then performed an average of four repetitions of each of three constant-work-rate (WR) tests: (1) between 20 W and a work rate of 50% (WR50) between 20 W and 90% (step 1→2), (2) between WR50 and 90% (step 2→3), and (3) between 20 W and 90% (step 1→3); 6 min was spent at each work rate increment and decrement. Parameters of the kinetic response of phase II were established by non-linear least-squares fitting techniques. The kinetics of were significantly slower at the upper reaches of the moderate-intensity domain (step 2→3) compared to steps 1→2 and 1→3 [group mean (SD) phase II τ: step 1→2 25.3 (4.9) s, step 2→3 40.0 (7.4) s and step 1→3 32.2 (6.9) s]. The off-transient values of τ were not significantly different from each other: 36.8 (16.3) s, 38.9 (11.6) s and 30.8 (5.7) s for steps 1→2, 2→3 and 1→3, respectively. Surprisingly, the on-transient gain (G, ) was also found to vary among the three steps [G=10.56 (0.42) ml·min^–1·W^–1, 11.85 (0.64) ml·min^–1·W^–1 and 11.23 (0.52) ml·min^–1·W^–1 for steps 1→2, 2→3 and 1→3, respectively]; the off-transient G did not vary significantly and was close to that for the on-transient step 1→3 in all cases. Our results do not support a dynamically linear system model of during cycle ergometer exercise even in the moderate-intensity domain. The greater oxygen deficit per unit power increment in the higher reaches of the moderate-intensity domain necessitates a greater transient lactate contribution to the energy transfer, or a greater phosphocreatine breakdown, or possibly both. Electronic Publication     

Forearm oxygen uptake during maximal forearm dynamic exercise

Summary This study was undertaken in an attempt to determine the maximal oxygen uptake in a small muscle group by measuring directly the oxygen expenditure of the forearm. Five healthy medical students volunteered. The subjects' maximal forearm work capacity was determined on a spring-loaded hand ergometer. Exercise was continued until exhaustion by pain or fatigue. Two weeks later intra-arterial and intravenous catheters were placed in the dominant arm. Blood samples for measurement of oxygen concentration were collected via the catheters. Forearm blood flow was measured by means of the indicator dilution technique. Oxygen uptake was determined according to the Fick principle. The forearm oxygen uptake attained at maximal work loads was a mean of 201 (SD±56) μmol · min⁻¹ · 100 ml⁻¹. It was impossible at maximal exercise to discern a plateau of the oxygen uptake curve in relation to work output. It is suggested that a plateau in the oxygen uptake curve is not a useful criterion for maximal oxygen uptake in a small muscle group. Skeletal muscle may have an unused capacity for oxygen consumption even at maximal exercise intensity where muscle work cannot be continued due to muscle pain and fatigue.     

A method for assessing muscle fatigue during sprint exercise in humans using a friction-loaded cycle ergometer

This study investigated the mechanical changes induced by muscle fatigue caused by repeated sprints and determined whether a friction-loaded cycle ergometer has any advantages for assessing muscle fatigue. Nine subjects performed 15 sprints, each of 5 s with a 25-s rest, on a friction-loaded cycle ergometer. The averaged force, power and velocity of each push-off were calculated. Maximal power decreased by 17.9%, with a concomittent slowing of muscle contraction, but without any change in the maximal force. These results demonstrated that repeated sprints slow down muscle contraction, leading to a fall in maximal power without any loss of force. This would suggest that fast twitch fibres are selectively fatigued by repeated sprints. However, the ergometer used in the present study made it difficult to evaluate the relative influences of contraction velocity and sprinting time. This was certainly the most important limitation. On the other hand, it showed the advantage of measuring instantaneous power and total work dissipated in the environment simultaneously. It also permitted a force-velocity relationship to be obtained from a single sprint and this relationship is known to be closely related to the muscle fibre composition. Accepted: 5 March 1998     

Force-velocity relationship and maximal power on a cycle ergometer

Summary The force-velocity relationship on a Monark ergometer and the vertical jump height have been studied in 152 subjects practicing different athletic activities (sprint and endurance running, cycling on track and/or road, soccer, rugby, tennis and hockey) at an average or an elite level. There was an approximatly linear relationship between braking force and peak velocity for velocities between 100 and 200 rev · min⁻¹. The highest indices of force P₀, velocity V₀ and maximal anaerobic power (W_max) were observed in the power athletes. There was a significant relationship between vertical jump height and W_max related to body mass.     

Effects of prolonged low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin during submaximal and maximal exercise

The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of prolonged low doses of recombinant erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on the responses to submaximal and maximal exercise. Volunteer recreational athletes (n=21) were divided into three groups: r-HuEPO+intravenous iron (EPO+IV, n=7), r-HuEPO+oral iron (EPO+OR, n=9) and placebo (n=5). During the 12 week study, r-HuEPO or saline injections were given three times a week for the first 8 weeks and for the final 4 weeks the subjects were monitored but no injections were administered. The r-HuEPO doses were 50 IU·kg^–1 body mass for 3 weeks and 20 IU·kg^–1 body mass for the next 5 weeks. An exercise test comprising three submaximal intensities and then increments to elicit maximal aerobic power ( ) was conducted during weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. During week 0, the mean intensity of the submaximal stages was 60%, 72% and 81% . Blood taken at rest was analysed twice a week for haematocrit (Hct). The relative increases in at weeks 4, 8 and 12 were 7.7%, 9.7% and 4.5%, respectively, for the EPO+IV group; 6.0%, 4.7% and 3.1% for the EPO+OR group; and –0.5%, –0.1% and –1.0% for the placebo group, where the improvements at week 12 for the EPO+IV and EPO+OR groups remained significantly above week 0 values. The Hct was significantly elevated by 0.06 and 0.07 units at week 3 in the EPO+IV and EPO+OR groups, respectively, and was stable during the 5 weeks of low-dose r-HuEPO. After 8 weeks of r-HuEPO use, plasma lactate concentration tended to be lower at exercise intensities ranging from 60% to 100% . This study confirmed the ability of low doses of r-HuEPO to maintain Hct and at elevated levels. Electronic Publication     

Relationship between muscle fatigue and oxygen uptake during cycle ergometer exercise with different ramp slope increments

Summary The surface electromyogram (EMG) from active muscle and oxygen uptake ( ) were studied simultaneously to examine changes of motor unit (MU) activity during exercise tests with different ramp increments. Six male subjects performed four exhausting cycle exercises with different ramp slopes of 10, 20, 30 and 40 W · min^–1 on different days. The EMG signals taken from the vastus lateralis muscle were stored on a digital data recorder and converted to obtain the integrated EMG (iEMG). The was measured, with 20-s intervals, by the mixing chamber method. A non-linear increase in iEMG against work load was observed for each exercise in all subjects. The break point of the linear relationship of iEMG was determined by the crossing point of the two regression lines (iEMG_bp). Significant differences were obtained in the exercise intensities corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake ( ) and the iEMG_bp between 10 and 30, and 10 and 40 W · min –1 ramp exercises (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were obtained in and corresponding to the iEMG_bp during the four ramp exercises. With respect to the relationship between and exercise intensity during the ramp increments, the -exercise intensity slope showed significant differences only for the upper half (i.e. above iEMG_bp). These results demonstrated that the and at which a nonlinear increase in iEMG was observed were not varied by the change of ramp slopes but by the exercise intensity corresponding to and the iEMG_bp was varied by the change of ramp slopes. In addition, the significant differences in the exercise intensity slopes for the upper half of the tests would suggest that the recruitment patterns of MU and/or muscle metabolic state might be considerably altered depending upon the ramp slope increments.     

The validity of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a perceptually-regulated graded exercise test

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from sub-maximal values elicited during a perceptually-regulated exercise test. We hypothesised that the strong relationship between the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and would enable to be predicted and that this would improve with practice. Ten male volunteers performed a graded exercise test (GXT) to establish followed by three sub-maximal RPE production protocols on a cycle ergometer, each separated by a period of 48 h. The perceptually-regulated trials were conducted at intensities of 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 on the RPE scale, in that order. and HR were measured continuously and recorded at the end of each 4 min stage. Individuals RPE values yielded correlations in the range 0.92–0.99 across the three production trials. There were no significant differences between measured (48.8 ml·kg^–1·min^–1) and predicted max values (47.3, 48.6 and 49.9 ml·kg^–1·min^–1, for trials 1, 2 and 3, respectively) when max was predicted from RPE values of 9–17. The same was observed when was predicted using RPE 9–15. Limits of agreement (LoA) analysis on actual and predicted values (from RPE 9–17) were (bias±1.96×SDdiff) 1.5±7.3, 0.2±4.9 and –1.2±5.8 ml·kg^–1·min^–1, for trials 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Corresponding LoA values for actual and predicted (from RPE 9–15) were 5.4±11.3, 4.4±8.7 and 2.3±8.4 ml·kg^–1·min^–1, respectively. The data suggest that a sub-maximal, perceptually-guided, graded exercise protocol can provide acceptable estimates of maximal aerobic power, which are further improved with practice in fit young males.     

Effects of aerobic endurance training status and specificity on oxygen uptake kinetics during maximal exercise

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise mode, training status and specificity on the oxygen uptake (O₂) kinetics during maximal exercise performed in treadmill running and cycle ergometry. Seven runners (R), nine cyclists (C), nine triathletes (T) and eleven untrained subjects (U), performed the following tests on different days on a motorized treadmill and on a cycle ergometer: (1) incremental tests in order to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (O_2max) and the intensity associated with the achievement of O_2max (IO_2max); and (2) constant work-rate running and cycling exercises to exhaustion at IO_2max to determine the effective time constant of the O₂ response (O₂). Values for O_2max obtained on the treadmill and cycle ergometer [R=68.8 (6.3) and 62.0 (5.0); C=60.5 (8.0) and 67.6 (7.6); T=64.5 (4.8) and 61.0 (4.1); U=43.5 (7.0) and 36.7 (5.6); respectively] were higher for the group with specific training in the modality. The U group showed the lowest values for O_2max, regardless of exercise mode. Differences in O₂ (seconds) were found only for the U group in relation to the trained groups [R=31.6 (10.5) and 40.9 (13.6); C=28.5 (5.8) and 32.7 (5.7); T=32.5 (5.6) and 40.7 (7.5); U=52.7 (8.5) and 62.2 (15.3); for the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively]; no effects of exercise mode were found in any of the groups. It is concluded that O₂ during the exercise performed at IO_2max is dependent on the training status, but not dependent on the exercise mode and specificity of training. Moreover, the transfer of the training effects on O₂ between both exercise modes may be higher compared with O_2max.     

The effects of training on the metabolic and respiratory profile of high-intensity cycle ergometer exercise

Summary The tolerable work duration (t) for high-intensity cycling is well described as a hyperbolic function of power (W):W=(W'·t ⁻¹)+W _a , whereW _a is the upper limit for sustainable power (lying between maximumW and the threshold for sustained blood [lactate] increase,Θ _lac), andW' is a constant which defines the amount of work which can be performed >W _a . As training increases the tolerable duration of high-intensity cycling, we explored whether this reflected an alteration ofW _a ,W' or both. Before and after a 7-week regimen of intense interval cycle-training by healthy males, we estimated (^)Θ _lac and determined maximum O₂ uptake ;W _a ;W'; and the temporal profiles of pulmonary gas exchange, blood gas, acid-base and metabolic response to constant-load cycling at and aboveW _a . Although training increased (24%), (15%) andW _a (15%),W' was unaffected. For exercise atW _a , a steady state was attained for , [lactate] and pH both pre- and post-training, despite blood [norepinephrine] and [epinephrine] ([NE], [E]) and rectal temperature continuing to rise. For exercise >W _a , there was a progressive increase in (resulting in at fatigue), [lactate], [NE], [E] and rectal temperature, and a progressive decrease for pH. We conclude that the increased endurance capacity for high-intensity exercise following training reflects an increasedW asymptote of theW−t relationship with no effect on its curvature; consequently, there is no appreciable change in the amount of work which can be performed aboveW _a . Furthermore, regardless of training status,W _a represents the upper power limit at which , blood [lactate] and blood pH can eventually be stabilized. Exercise >W _a , in contrast, is characterized by a steadily increasing and blood [lactate], a falling blood pH and consequently, imminent fatigue. Supported in part by a UCLA Graduate Division Doctoral Research Award     

Negative accumulated oxygen deficit during heavy and very heavy intensity cycle ergometry in humans

The concept of the accumulated O₂ deficit (AOD) assumes that the O₂ deficit increases monotonically with increasing work rate (WR), to plateau at the maximum AOD, and is based on linear extrapolation of the relationship between measured steady-state oxygen uptake (O₂) and WR for moderate exercise. However, for high WRs, the measured O₂ increases above that expected from such linear extrapolation, reflecting the superimposition of a "slow component" on the fundamental O₂ mono-exponential kinetics. We were therefore interested in determining the effect of the O₂ slow component on the computed AOD. Ten subjects [31 (12) years] performed square-wave cycle ergometry of moderate (40%, 60%, 80% and 90% ), heavy (40%), very heavy (80%) and severe (110% O_{2 peak}) intensities for 10–15 min, where is the estimated lactate threshold and is the WR difference between and O_{2 peak}. O₂ was determined breath-by-breath. Projected "steady-state" O₂ values were determined from sub- tests. The measured O₂ exceeded the projected value after ~3 min for both heavy and very heavy intensity exercise. This led to the AOD actually becoming negative. Thus, for heavy exercise, while the AOD was positive [0.63 (0.41) l] at 5 min, it was negative by 10 min [–0.61 (1.05) l], and more so by 15 min [–1.70 (1.64) l]. For the very heavy WRs, the AOD was [0.42 (0.67) l] by 5 min and reached –2.68 (2.09) l at exhaustion. For severe exercise, however, the AOD at exhaustion was positive in each case: +1.69 (0.39) l. We therefore conclude that the assumptions underlying the computation of the AOD are invalid for heavy and very heavy cycle ergometry (at least). Physiological inferences, such as the "anaerobic work capacity", are therefore prone to misinterpretation.     

Effects of prolonged warm-up exercise above and below anaerobic threshold on maximal performance

Summary The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of prolonged warm-up exercise above and below anaerobic threshold (AT) on maximal performance. Warm-up exercise consisted of pedalling the Monark cycle ergometer at either 40% (Below AT) or 68% (Above AT) of VO₂ max for 60 min. Each maximal performance consisted of two 40 s bouts of all out pedalling on the Monark cycle ergometer against 5.5 kg resistance separated by a 5 min rest period. These tests were administered on two occasions without warm-up exercise and were found to be reproducible for work output and peak blood lactate concentration. Below AT warm-up exercise significantly increased core temperature with no increase in steady state blood lactate concentration and was thus representative of a desired warmed-up status. This condition did not contribute to an improved maximal performance. Above AT warm-up exercise resulted in significant increases in core temperature and steady state blood lactate concentration. Work output and peak blood lactate concentration for maximal exercise were significantly decreased. It was concluded that task specific prolonged warm-up exercise below AT does not contribute to an improved maximal performance of the type employed in the present study. Following warm-up exercise above AT, maximal performance was impaired. This was attributed to probable glycogen depletion in fast twitch muscle fibers which in turn may have contributed to a decreased lactate production.This research was supported by the Graduate Research Council of the University of Louisville     

In humans the oxygen uptake slow component is reduced by prior exercise of high as well as low intensity

The aim of the study was to examine to what extent prior high- or low-intensity cycling, yielding the same amount of external work, influenced the oxygen uptake (V˙O₂) slow component of subsequent high-intensity cycling. The 12 subjects cycled in two protocols consisting of an initial 3 min period of unloaded cycling followed by two periods of constant-load exercise separated by 3 min of rest and 3 min of unloaded cycling. In protocol 1 both periods of exercise consisted of 6 min cycling at a work rate corresponding to 90% peak oxygen uptake (V˙O_2peak). Protocol 2 differed from protocol 1 in that the first period of exercise consisted of a mean of 12.1 (SD 0.8) min cycling at a work rate corresponding to 50% V˙O_2peak. The difference between the 3rd min V˙O₂ and the end V˙O₂ (ΔV˙O₂₍₆₋₃₎) was used as an index of the V˙O₂ slow component. Prior high-intensity exercise significantly reduced ΔV˙O₂₍₆₋₃₎. The ΔV˙O₂₍₆₋₃₎ was also reduced by prior low-intensity exercise despite an unchanged plasma lactate concentration at the start of the second period of exercise. The reduction was more pronounced after prior high- than after prior low-intensity exercise (59% and 28%, respectively). The results of this study show that prior exercise of high as well as low intensity reduces the V˙O₂ slow component and indicate that a metabolic acidosis is not a necessary condition to elicit a reduction in ΔV˙O₂₍₆₋₃₎. Accepted: 8 July 2000