Exercise training below and above the lactate threshold in the elderly

In this study we report the effects of training at intensities below and above the lactate threshold on parameters of aerobic function in elderly subjects (age range 65-75 yr). The subjects were randomized into high-intensity (HI, N = 8; 75% of heart rate reserve = approximately 82% VO2max = approximately 121% of lactate threshold) and low-intensity (LI, N = 9; 35% of heart rate reserve = approximately 53% VO2max = approximately 72% of lactate threshold) training groups which trained 4 d.wk-1 for 30 min.session-1 for 8 wk. Before and after the training, subjects performed an incremental exercise test for determination of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and lactate threshold (LT). In addition, the subjects performed a 6-min single-stage exercise test at greater than 75% of pre-training VO2max (SST-High) during which cardiorespiratory responses were evaluated each minute of the test. After training, the improvements in VO2max (7%) for LI and HI were not different from one another (delta VO2max for LI = 1.8 +/- 0.7 ml.kg-1.min-1; delta VO2max for HI = 1.8 +/- 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1) but were significantly greater (P = 0.02) than the post-testing change observed in the control group (N = 8). Training improved the LT significantly (10-12%; P less than 0.01) and equally for both LI and HI (delta LT for for LI = 2.3 +/- 0.6 ml O2.kg-1.min-1; delta LT for HI = 1.8 +/- 0.8 ml O2.kg-1.min-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Elite special forces: physiological description and ergogenic influence of blood reinfusion

We measured the physical exercise capabilities of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers (male) and determined the subsequent ergogenic influence of autologous blood reinfusion. Twelve subjects (Ss) completed maximal exercise treadmill testing in a comfortable (Ta = 20 degrees C, Tdp = 9 degrees C) environment. Six Ss were later transfused with a 600 ml autologous red blood cell (50% Hct) NaCl glucose-phosphate solution and completed identical maximal exercise tests 3 and 10 d posttransfusion. Pretransfusion, the 12 Ss had a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 4.36 +/- 0.56 L . min-1 and 55 +/- 4 ml . kg-1 . min-1 with a heart rate of 188 +/- 10 b . min-1 and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen of 37 +/- 3. For the 6 reinfused Ss, hemoglobin and red cell volume (RCV) increased by 10% (p less than 0.05) and 11% (p less than 0.05), respectively, posttransfusion. Reinfusion increased (p less than 0.05) VO2max from 4.28 +/- 0.22 L . min-1 (54 +/- 5 ml . kg-1 . min-1) to 4.75 +/- 0.42 L . min-1 (60 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1) and 4.63 +/- 0.21 L . min-1 (59 +/- 6 ml . kg-1 . min-1) at 3 and 10 d posttransfusion, respectively. No significant relationship was found between the individual change in RCV and VO2max values pre- to posttransfusion. We conclude that Special Forces soldiers have high levels of aerobic fitness that can be further increased by blood reinfusion for at least 10 d.     

Metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to the performance of Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Chuan exercise

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to the continuous performance of Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Chuan exercise. No significant differences in VO2max or HRmax obtained during treadmill exercise were found between the practitioners of the two styles. Average values for oxygen uptake (VO2) were 23.3 +/- 7.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 (6.6 METS) and 16.0 +/- 3.9 ml.kg-1.min-1 (4.6 METS) for Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Chuan exercise, respectively. Mean heart rates obtained during exercise were 137 +/- 25 beats.min-1 for Wing Chun and 116 +/- 22 beats.min-1 for T'ai Chi Chuan exercise. These exercise values corresponded to 52.4% of VO2max and 70.5% of HRmax for Wing Chun and only 36.4% of VO2max and 59.8% of HRmax for T'ai Chi Chuan exercise. Thus, only the continuous performance of Wing Chun exercise elicited VO2 and HR responses that would be expected to bring about a cardiorespiratory training effect in subjects with a relatively low initial VO2max. The ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2) obtained during T'ai Chi Chuan exercise (21.7) was significantly lower than for Wing Chun exercise (24.2), suggesting that T'ai Chi practitioners utilize efficient breathing patterns during exercise. Both Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Chuan styles may have a small static component that produces a slightly elevated heart rate relative to metabolic load when compared to traditional aerobic activities. However, the effect was not severe and these forms of exercise should not be considered dangerous for individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.     

Prediction of peak oxygen consumption in obstructive airway disease

The hypothesis of this study was that non-exercise variables can be used to reliably predict peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in patients with obstructive airway disease (OAD). We also evaluated the impact of symptoms on exercise capacity. Selected predictor variables included age, lung function, respiratory muscle strength, gas exchange, and the Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI). In 40 patients peak VO2 was 19.9 +/- 8.7 (mean +/- SD) ml.kg-1.min-1 during progressive, incremental exercise until limited by symptoms on a cycle ergometer. Multiple regression analysis yielded three significant predictors: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), age, and BDI. Peak VO2 (ml.kg-1.min-1) = 5.5 (FEV1) - 0.3 (age) + 0.8 (BDI) + 19.3 (R2 = 0.79; SEE: 4.2 ml.kg-1.min-1). Comparisons between patients who stopped exercise because of breathlessness (N = 14) and those who stopped because of leg fatigue (N = 18) showed that lung function, inspiratory muscle strength, and peak VO2 were significantly reduced in the former group compared to the latter. Peak exercise ventilation (VE)/MVV ratio was similar in the breathless (95.3 +/- 23.8%) and leg fatigue (86.8 +/- 20.3) groups, but peak heart rate (HR)/pred. HRmax ratio was significantly higher in the leg fatigue group (86.8 +/- 12.6%) than in the breathless group (75.1 +/- 8.6%) (P = 0.006). We conclude that lung function, age, and the clinical rating of breathlessness reliably predict peak VO2 in patients with symptomatic OAD. Moreover, peak exercise performance in OAD appears to be affected by different physiological factors which may be distinguished by the major symptom limiting exercise.     

Prolonged exercise in highly trained female endurance runners

The effects of prolonged exercise in a 21 degree C dry bulb and 15 degree C wet bulb environment at 65%-70% VO2max were examined in seven highly trained females. The subjects, aged 22-35 years, underwent an initial incremental treadmill test to exhaustion, with assessment of VO2max and related cardiorespiratory variables. One week later, under similar environmental conditions, subjects ran at approximately 65% VO2max for 80 min on a motor-driven treadmill. Approximately 10 ml of venous blood was withdrawn 10 min prior and immediately prior to the onset of prolonged exercise, and at 20, 40, 60, and 80 min, and 20 min post-exercise. Venous blood was analyzed for glucose, lactate, osmolality, Na+, K+, protein, and hemoglobin (Hb). Hematocrit was measured and changes in plasma volume calculated. VO2, VE, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate were recorded at 17, 37, and 77 min. The percent body fat estimated from skinfold thicknesses was 19 +/- 1%. The mean VO2max was 59.3 +/- 1.0 ml . kg-1 . min-1, with a mean max VE STPD and heart rate of 78.75 +/- 3.10 1 . min-1 and 175 +/- 4 beats . min-1, respectively. No significant changes occurred in VO2, VE, % VO2max, heart rate, venous lactate, plasma glucose, or plasma protein during the prolonged exercise. A significant decrease in respiratory exchange ratio was noted. Significant changes also occurred in hematocrit, Hb, Na+, K+, and osmolality. An interesting finding was the pre-exercise expansion of the plasma volume.     

Physical fitness and hemodynamic response of women to lower body negative pressure

Aerobic fitness as assessed by maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) has been shown to be associated with an attenuated baroreflex function during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in men. Sixteen women (mean age = 24.7 yrs) were evaluated during progressive LBNP to -50 torr. Each subject's VO2max was determined using indirect calorimetry during the Bruce protocol exercise test. Eight subjects [mean VO2max = 56.8 (ml O2 X min-1) X kg-1] were designated as trained, and eight subjects [mean VO2max = 39.4 (ml O2 X min-1) X kg-1] were designated as untrained. During LBNP, heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac index, forearm blood flow, and leg circumference were measured. All subjects completed the LBNP protocol without clinical symptoms of pre-syncope. The over-all hemodynamic responses of both groups to LBNP were qualitatively similar to previous findings reported for males. However, no significant differences in response of hemodynamic variables were observed between trained and untrained subjects during LBNP to -50 torr (P greater than 0.05) except for vascular resistance and diastolic blood pressure at -50 torr where the untrained value was greater than the trained value. This would suggest that a fitness-related difference may have been present at higher levels of LBNP. Furthermore, in contrast to previous reports in males, the index of baroreflex responsiveness (delta heart rate/delta systolic blood pressure) was similar for both groups (P greater than 0.05). When these data were compared with a similar subject pool of males, the females displayed a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) tolerance of LBNP to -50 torr regardless of fitness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardiovascular fitness and thermoregulation during prolonged exercise in man.

Nine healthy male subjects differing in their training status (VO2 max 54 +/- 7 ml.min-1.kg-1, mean +/- SD; 43-64 ml.min-1 kg-1, range) exercised on two occasions separated by one week. On each occasion, having fasted overnight, subjects exercised for 1 h on an electrically braked cycle ergometer at a workload equivalent to 70 per cent VO2 max (test A) or at a fixed workload of 140 W (test B). Each test was assigned in a randomized manner and was performed at an ambient temperature of 22.5 +/- 0.0 degrees C and a relative humidity of 85 +/- 0 per cent. Absolute exercise workload was the most successful predictor of sweat loss during test A (r = 0.82, p less than 0.01). Sweat loss was also related to VO2 max tests A (r = 0.67, p less than 0.05) and B (r = 0.67, p less than 0.05). There was no relationship between resting pre-exercise core temperature and VO2 max. However, core temperature recorded during the final min of exercise in test B was inversely related to VO2 max (r = -0.86, p less than 0.01). As a consequence, core temperature during the final minute of exercise was also related to the relative exercise intensity (% VO2 max) performed (r = 0.82, p less than 0.01). The heart rate response during test B was inversely related to VO2 max (r = -0.71, p less than 0.05) and was positively related to the relative exercise intensity performed (r = 0.68, p less than 0.05). No relationship was found between weighted mean skin temperature during the final minute of exercise and the relative (r = 0.26) or absolute (r = 0.03) workloads performed during exercise. The results of the present experiment suggest that cardiovascular fitness (as indicated by VO2 max) will have a significant influence upon the thermoregulatory responses of Man during exercise.     

Thermoregulatory responses of pre-, mid-, and late-pubertal boys to exercise in dry heat.

During exercise in a hot climate, children have been reported to have a less effective temperature regulation capability, compared with adults. It is likely that the transition from a child-like to an adult-like response occurs during puberty. To assess the association between the thermoregulatory response and physical maturation, three groups of circum-pubertal boys cycled at 50% VO2max (three 20-min bouts with 10-min rests), in a climatic chamber (42 degrees C, 20% relative humidity). Based on Tanner staging (pubic hair), 10 were classified as prepubertal (PP), 13 as midpubertal (MP), and eight as late pubertal (LP). Measurements included rectal and skin temperatures (Tre, Tsk), heart rate (HR), sweating rate (SR), oxygen consumption (VO2), and forearm blood flow (FBF). Tre, Tsk, and HR increased with time, with no significant difference among groups. Relative VO2 (ml O2.kg-1) was similar among groups. FBF was consistently higher in PP compared with LP. In spite of the higher SR (PP = 4.9 +/- 0.2, MP = 5.7 +/- 0.3, LP = 6.6 +/- 0.4 ml.min-1.m-2) (mean +/- SEM) among LP compared with PP, the rate of heat storage (PP = 5.5 +/- 0.4, MP = 5.3 +/- 0.4, LP = 6.8 +/- 0.3, kJ.h-1.kg-1) was also significantly higher among those in the LP group. Three of eight LP did not complete the session due to high Tre, while two of the 10 PP were unable to complete the session even though the physiologic heat strain was not high. The results suggest that the transition from a child-like to an adult-like thermoregulatory effectiveness in a hot, dry climate may occur at a somewhat later stage, but not during puberty.     

Reflex venomotor responses to lower body negative pressure following endurance training

The effect of endurance training on reflex venomotor control during an orthostatic challenge was investigated in 11 sedentary male volunteers. An exercise (E) group (n = 6) underwent 12 weeks of endurance exercise training, whereas a control (C) group (n = 5) remained sedentary. Training significantly increased VO2max values in E (pre-training: 37.0 +/- 2.5 ml.kg-1.min-1; post training: 44.6 +/- 2.5 ml.kg-1.min-1), while C showed no significant change. During exposures to two levels of lower body negative pressure (-10 and -40 mm Hg), both C and E groups showed similar graded decreases in forearm venous volume (FVV). The magnitude of the FVV decreases did not differ between groups or when comparing pre-training and post-training values. We conclude that the reflex venoconstrictor response to LBNP was not affected by endurance training.     

Dissociation of the ventilatory and lactate thresholds following caffeine ingestion

Caffeine ingestion prior to the start of exercise has been shown to have an effect on ventilatory parameters and substrate utilization. Changes in either substrate utilization or ventilatory parameters may influence the determination of the lactate threshold (LT) and/or the ventilatory threshold (VT). Therefore, it was the purpose of this investigation to determine whether the VT and LT occur at similar metabolic rates and what effect caffeine ingestion will have on these two measures. Ten male subjects completed two maximal exercise bouts on the treadmill using a single blind procedure. One trial was performed 45 min after the ingestion of caffeine citrate (CC) in an amount equal to 7.0 mg of anhydrous caffeine.kg-1 body weight. The second trial was performed 45 min after the ingestion of a gelatin powdered placebo (P). Ventilatory parameters were monitored on a breath-by-breath basis, and blood for lactate determination was obtained from an antecubital vein every minute. Maximal oxygen consumption did not differ significantly between the CC (60.3 +/- 5.2 ml.kg-1.min-1) and P (59.7 +/- 5.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) trials. Oxygen consumption (VO2) values during the P trial at the VT (40.2 +/- 6.1 ml.kg-1.min-1) and the LT (38.6 +/- 3.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) were not significantly different (P less than 0.05). During the CC trial, VO2 values at the VT (44.4 +/- 6.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) and the LT (39.7 +/- 5.8 ml.kg-1.min-1) were significantly different. When comparing the VO2 at the LTs between the CC and P trials, there was no significant difference. There was, however, a significant difference in VO2 at the VTs when comparing the two trials. These data demonstrate a dissociation between the VT and LT following caffeine ingestion and suggest that the use of the VT as an indicator of the LT may be inappropriate following ingestion of moderate dosages of caffeine.     

Aerobic fitness: II. Orthostasis and VO2peak following head-down tilt.

To determine whether endurance exercise trained (ET) subjects would experience greater reductions in peak oxygen delivery and orthostatic tolerance (OT) than untrained (UT) subjects, both peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during upright bicycle ergometry and tolerance time during 70 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) were compared within and between groups before and after 4 h of -6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT). Eight ET subjects with a mean VO2peak of 61.7 +/- 1.6 ml.kg-1.min-1 were matched for age, height, and weight with eight UT subjects (VO2peak = 38.4 +/- 1.7 ml.kg-1.min-1). Following HDT, decreases in plasma volume (PV) were larger for ET subjects (-3.7 +/- 0.5 ml.kg-1) than for UT subjects (-2.3 +/- 0.3 ml.kg-1), P less than 0.03. Reductions in VO2peak for ET subjects (-5.4 +/- 1.1 ml.kg-1.min-1) were also greater than for UT subjects (-2.4 +/- 0.8 ml.kg-1.min-1), P less than 0.05. The ET (N = 6) subjects also had a significant decrease in OT time (-13.0 +/- 4.2 min) during post-HDT HUT, which was not observed for the UT group (N = 6). A significant inverse correlation was found pre-HDT VO2peak and the change in OT time, r = -0.74, P less than 0.01. The decrease in OT was also significantly correlated to the PV decrease, r = 0.59, P less than 0.04. The UT subjects had significantly augmented pressor responses to HUT manifested by the increases in both HR and MAP following HDT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Physiological response to water aerobics.

Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO2) measured during water aerobics (WA) were compared to maximal values obtained during an incremental treadmill test to assess the energy demand and potential cardiorespiratory (CR) training effects of WA. Sixteen college-age females served as subjects (mean +/- SD = 20.4 +/- 1.6 years). WA elicited a mean HR of 162 b.min-1 and a mean VO2 of 18.4 ml.kg-1.min-1 which represented 74% of HR reserve, 82% of maximal HR, and 48% of VO2 max. Average caloric expenditure was 5.7 kcal.min-1. HR values for WA were consistent with guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine for developing and maintaining CR fitness in healthy adults. However, the VO2 fell just below the recommended minimum threshold level. It was concluded that WA may provide an attractive alternative to traditional modes of exercise for improving CR fitness, however, HR measures may overestimate the metabolic intensity of the exercise.     

Exercise thermoregulation in men after 6 hours of immersion

Rectal (Tre) and mean skin (Tsk) temperature, skin heat conductance (Ksk), heart rate, and total body sweat rate were measured in 6 men (20-35 years) during 70 min of supine leg exercise (Ta = 23.5 degrees C, rh = 40%) at 50% of their peak O2 uptake (VO2 peak); these data were taken after a 6-h control (C) period in air and after immersion to the neck (NI) in water (34.5 degrees C) for 6 h after overnight food and fluid restriction. After NI mean (+/- S.E.) water balance was -1,285 +/- 104 ml for the 6 h and plasma volume (delta Hb and Hct) decreased by 5.2%. End exercise heart rates after C (141 +/- 3 b X min-1) increased to 148 +/- 3 b X min-1 (p less than 0.05) after NI while Vo2 were both 2.2 L X min-1 Tre increased by 0.5 C degrees (p less than 0.05) between the end of NI and the start of exercise. During exercise following C and NI, delta Tre were +1.0 degrees C and +0.9 degrees C (NS), Ksk were 44 +/- 2 and 43 +/- 1 kcal X m-2 X hr-1 X degrees C-1 (NS), while sweat rates increased from 248 +/- 19 to 366 +/- 52 g X h-1 (p less than 0.05), respectively. Both the total integrated Tre and Tsk curves after NI were higher (p less than 0.05) than for C. These results suggest that, compared with control responses, the equilibrium level of core temperature during submaximal exercise is regulated at a higher level after immersion.     

Treadmill protocols for determination of maximum oxygen uptake in runners.

Four testing protocols were completed by each of 10 runners using a common speed for protocols 1 and 2 (P1 and P2), each runner's training pace for protocol 3 (P3) and a speed selected manually by the runner for protocol 4 (P4). Stages were increased by 2.5% grade every 2 min for each protocol except for P1, which had 1 min stages. There were no significant differences in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) between protocols (P1, 65.0 +/- 5.6 ml.kg-1 min-1; P2, 64.5 +/- 5.3 ml.kg-1 min-1; P3, 66.2 +/- 3.9 ml.kg-1 min-1; P4, 64.7 +/- 5.8 ml.kg-1 min-1). Treadmill time was significantly less for P1 than for the other protocols. The rate of perceived exertion obtained at maximal exercise during P1 was less than that obtained during the other three protocols. Heart rate was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) at any level of submaximal VO2 during P3 than during the other protocols. We recommend a testing protocol using speeds approximating the runner's training pace and 1 min stages. This may result in lower perception of difficulty and HR throughout the test and shorter testing times.     

Effect of marathon training on the plasma lactate response to submaximal exercise in middle-aged men.

Twenty-one previously sedentary male volunteers (aged 35-50 years) undertook a defined marathon training programme lasting 30 weeks. At weeks 0 (T1), 15 (T2) and 30 (T3) they underwent measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), submaximal VO2 and submaximal plasma lactate concentration during cycle ergometry. No exercise was taken for 24-48 hours prior to testing. During training aerobic power increased significantly (p less than 0.001) from an initial VO2 max at T1 of 33.9 +/- 6 (mean +/- sd) ml.kg-1min-1 to 39 +/- 5.6 ml.kg-1min-1 at T2 but the T3 value of 39.2 +/- 5.2 ml.kg-1min-1 was not significantly different from that at T2. Plasma lactate concentration of 4 mmol.l-1 (OBLAw) occurred at a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher workload (155 +/- 28 w) at T2 compared with T1 (132 +/- 30 w) but the T3 figure was 137 +/- 34 w. OBLA VO2 at T1 was 2.04 +/- 0.42 l.min-1, at T2 was 2.24 +/- 0.04 l.min-1 but at T3 was 2.03 +/- 0.30 l.min-1 (T1:T2 P less than 0.05, T1:T3 NS). OBLA % VO2 max at T1 was 75 +/- 12%, at T2 was 73 +/- 11% but at T3 was 62 +/- 10% (T1:T2 NS, T1:T3 P less than 0.01).     

Reliability of the rating of perceived exertion at ventilatory threshold in children.

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), using the Borg 6-20 scale, at ventilatory threshold (VT) in children. Thirty children (19 male, 11 female) with a mean +/- SD age of 10.4 +/- 1.1 yrs performed two graded exercise tests for the assessment of VT and VO2max. RPE was recorded throughout each exercise test. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the mean VO2max (50.9 +/- 6.0 vs 51.0 +/- 5.7 ml.kg-1.min-1; r = 0.95) or the mean VO2 at VT (36.2 +/- 4.4 vs 36.7 +/- 4.5 ml.kg-1.min-1; r = 0.87) between trials. The mean RPE at VT during trial 1 (12.4 +/- 2.7) was significantly higher than during trial 2 (11.4 +/- 3.3; p < 0.05). The test-retest reliability correlation for the RPE at VT was r = 0.78. The lower RPE in the second trial may have been due to a greater comfort and familiarity with the testing procedures. The reliability analysis indicates that the RPE at VT within a given child is fairly consistent from trial to trial. However, large inter-individual variability in the RPE at VT (range = 6 to 19) was noted and was not related to variations in the onset of VT. This raises some concern over the use of a given RPE value or range of RPE values in the regulation of exercise intensity for this age group. The test-retest reliability of VT and VO2max in this age group is similar to previous reports.     

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.     

Heat acclimatization during summer running in the northeastern United States

Five highly trained distance runners (DR) were observed during controlled 90-min thermoregulation trials in spring (T1) and late summer (T2) to document the nature of heat acclimatization in the northeastern United States. These trials simulated environmental (30.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C dry bulb, 34.9 +/- 0.5% relative humidity, 4.47 m X s-1 wind speed) and exercise (treadmill running at 80, 120, 160, and 200 m X min-1) stresses encountered by DR during summer training in the northeastern United States. Between T1 and T2, DR trained outdoors for 14.5 +/- 0.4 wk, but consequently exhibited few physiological adaptations classically associated with heat acclimatization. Statistical comparison of T1 and T2 indicated no significant differences in mean heart rate, rectal temperature, sweat Na+ and K+, plasma Na+ and K+, or change in plasma volume during exercise. Mean weighted skin temperature was unchanged except at 50 min of exercise, and sweat rate was also unchanged except during the initial 30 min segment: 73 +/- 6 vs 93 +/- 8 ml X m-2 X h-1. Significant decreases (P less than 0.05) in submaximal VO2 were observed: T1 vs T2 values were 13.97 +/- 0.27 vs 10.19 +/- 1.19, 31.38 +/- 1.15 vs 27.91 +/- 1.45, and 44.97 +/- 0.85 vs 41.24 +/- 0.97 ml X kg-1 X min-1, at treadmill speeds of 80, 120, and 200 m X min-1, respectively. We conclude that DR did not require 14.5 wk of summer training to maintain safe rectal temperatures (less than or equal to 38.4 degrees C) during T1, which simulated the hottest days of summer in the northeastern United States.     

Physiologic responses to treadmill running in adult and prepubertal males

Little data are available directly comparing physiologic responses to endurance exercise in children and adults. To evaluate age related differences during maximal and submaximal treadmill exercise, physiologic parameters recorded during testing of 20 active prepubertal boys (aged 9-13 years) were compared with values obtained in nonathletic adult males aged 23-33 years. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was 57.9 ml.kg-1.min-1 (6.9 SD) in the boys and 48.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (4.9 SD) in the adults. Running economy examined both as VO2 at a treadmill speed of 9.6 kph and as the slope of linear regression of VO2 at four submaximal speeds was less in boys compared to men when values were expressed per kg body mass. Differences in running economy between the two groups disappeared, however, when related to body surface area. As expected, children had a higher stride frequency at a given treadmill speed, but running stride frequency was unrelated to economy with the two groups. Lower respiratory exchange ratios were observed at maximal and submaximal exercise in the children, which may reflect diminished anaerobic capacity or differences in substrate utilization. These results substantiate the high aerobic capacity previously observed in children and suggest that lower running economy in younger subjects may largely relate to a greater body surface are/mass ratio.