Maximal work production following two levels of artificially induced metabolic alkalosis

In order to determine the influence of two artificially induced alkalotic states on the ability to perform maximal exercise, six male subjects (mean age, 22.0 years; mean height, 176.8 cm; mean weight, 69.1 kg; mean VO2 max, 3.83 l min-1) were studied during three experimental trials. The subjects performed six 60-s cycling bouts, at a work rate corresponding to 125% VO2 max, with 60 s recovery between work bouts; these regimens were performed 1 h after the ingestion of a solution containing either; I, placebo; II, NaHCO3 in a dosage of 0.15 g per kg body weight; or III, NaHCO3 0.30 g per kg body weight. The sixth work bout was continued until the pedal velocity dropped below 50 rev min-1. Total work done for the entire work period was calculated. Blood samples were taken from a forearm vein prior to the exercise bouts for analysis of pH and HCO3. The results showed a significant pre-exercise difference in pH and HCO3 for all conditions (P less than 0.01). In conditions where artificial alkalosis had been achieved prior to exercise there was significant increase in the work produced: I, 121.6 kJ; II, 133.1 kJ; III, 133.5 kJ (P less than 0.05). The time to fatigue in the six bout was also significantly increased; I, 74.7 s; II, 111.0 s; III, 106.0 p (P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between conditions II and III. Thus augmentation of the bicarbonate reserves has a significant positive effect on the energy metabolism in interval-type exercise, leading to an increase in the work done and in the time to fatigue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of induced alkalosis and submaximal cycling on neuromuscular response during sustained isometric contraction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if inducing metabolic alkalosis would alter neuromuscular control after 50 min of standardized submaximal cycling. Eight trained male cyclists (mean age 32 years, s = 7; [Vdot]O_2max 62 ml · kg^?1 · min^?1, s = 8) ingested capsules containing either CaCO₃ (placebo) or NaHCO₃ (0.3 g · kg^?1 body mass) in eight doses over 2 h on two separate occasions, commencing 3 h before exercise. Participants performed three maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MVC) of the knee extensors while determining the central activation ratio by superimposing electrical stimulation both pre-ingestion and post-exercise, followed by a 50-s sustained maximal contraction in which force, EMG amplitude, and muscle fibre conduction velocity were assessed. Plasma pH, blood base excess, and plasma HCO₃ were higher (P < 0.01) during the NaHCO₃ trial. After cycling, muscle fibre conduction velocity was higher (P < 0.05) during the 50-s sustained maximal contraction with NaHCO₃ than with placebo (5.1 m · s^?1, s = 0.4 vs. 4.2 m · s^?1, s = 0.4) while the EMG amplitude remained the same. Force decline rate was less (P < 0.05) during alkalosis-sustained maximal contraction and no differences were shown in central activation ratio. These data indicate that induced metabolic alkalosis can increase muscle fibre conduction velocity following prolonged submaximal cycling.     

The effects of work:rest duration on physiological and perceptual responses during intermittent exercise and performance

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of different work:rest durations during 20 min intermittent treadmill running and subsequent performance. Nine males (mean age 25.8 years, s = 6.8; body mass 73.9 kg, s = 8.8; stature 1.75 m, s = 0.05; [Vdot]O_2max 55.5 ml · kg^?1 · min^?1, s = 5.8) undertook repeated sprints at 120% of the speed at which [Vdot]O_2max was attained interspersed with passive recovery. The work:rest ratio was constant (1:1.5) with trials involving either short (6:9 s) or long (24:36 s) work:rest exercise protocols (total exercise time 8 min). Each trial was followed by a performance run to volitional exhaustion at the same running speed. Testing order was randomized and counterbalanced. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood glucose were similar between trials (P > 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was greater during the long than the short exercise protocol (P < 0.05), whereas blood pH was lower during the long than the short exercise protocol (7.28, s = 0.11 and 7.30, s = 0.03 at 20 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Perceptions of effort were greater throughout exercise for the long than the short exercise protocol (16.6, s = 1.4 and 15.1, s = 1.6 at 20 min, respectively; P < 0.05) and correlated with blood lactate (r = 0.43) and bicarbonate concentrations (r = ?0.59; P < 0.05). Although blood lactate concentration at 20 min was related to performance time (r = ?0.56; P < 0.05), no differences were observed between trials for time to exhaustion (short exercise protocol: 95.8 s, s = 30.0; long exercise protocol: 92.0 s, s = 37.1) or physiological responses at exhaustion (P > 0.05). Our results demonstrate that 20 min of intermittent exercise involving a long work:rest duration elicits greater metabolic and perceptual strain than intermittent exercise undertaken with a short work:rest duration but does not affect subsequent run time to exhaustion.     

Sodium bicarbonate ingestion and its effects on anaerobic exercise of various durations

Abstract

Four groups of male subjects participated in anaerobic testing on a Repco EX 10 cycle ergometer to determine the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g kg^‐1 body mass) as an ergogenic aid during exercise of 10, 30, 120 and 240 s duration. Blood was collected 90 min prior to ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), after ingestion of NaHCO₃ and immediately post‐exercise from a heated (43–46°C) fingertip and analysed immediately post‐collection for pH, base excess, bicarbonate and lactate. The total work undertaken (kj) and peak power achieved during the tests were also obtained via a Repco Work Monitor Unit. Blood bicarbonate levels were again increased above the control and placebo conditions (P< 0.001) and blood lactate levels were also increased following the bicarbonate trials. The pH levels fell significantly (P<0.05) below the control and placebo conditions in all trials. The results indicate that NaHCO₃ at this dosage has no ergogenic benefit for work of either 10 or 30 s duration, even though blood bicarbonate levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) following ingestion of NaHCO₃. For work periods of 120 and 240 s, performance was significantly increased (P<0.05) above the control and placebo conditions following NaHCO₃ ingestion.     

The effect of physical contact on changes in fatigue markers following rugby union field-based training

Repeated physical contact in rugby union is thought to contribute to post-match fatigue; however, no evidence exists on the effect of contact activity during field-based training on fatigue responses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of contact during training on fatigue markers in rugby union players. Twenty academy rugby union players participated in the cross-over study. The magnitude of change in upper- and lower-body neuromuscular function (NMF), whole blood creatine kinase concentration [CK] and perception of well-being was assessed pre-training (baseline), immediately and 24?h post-training following contact and non-contact, field-based training. Training load was measured using mean heart rate, session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and microtechnology (Catapult Optimeye S5). The inclusion of contact during field-based training almost certainly increased mean heart rate (9.7; ±3.9%) and sRPE (42; ±29.2%) and resulted in likely and very likely greater decreases in upper-body NMF (?7.3; ±4.7% versus 2.7; ±5.9%) and perception of well-being (?8.0; ±4.8% versus ?3.4; ±2.2%) 24?h post-training, respectively, and almost certainly greater elevations in [CK] (88.2; ±40.7% versus 3.7; ±8%). The exclusion of contact from field-based training almost certainly increased running intensity (19.8; ±5%) and distance (27.5; ±5.3%), resulting in possibly greater decreases in lower-body NMF (?5.6; ±5.2% versus 2.3; ±2.4%). Practitioners should be aware of the different demands and fatigue responses of contact and non-contact, field-based training and can use this information to appropriately schedule such training in the weekly microcycle.     

Maximal heart rate declines linearly with age independent of cardiorespiratory fitness levels

There have been many conflicting observations between the linear or curvilinear decline in maximal heart rate (HR_max) with age. The aim of this study was to determine if linear or curvilinear equations would better describe the decline in HR_max with age in individuals of differing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels. Treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) results from participants (1510 men and 1134 women; 18–76 years) free of overt cardiovascular disease were retrospectively examined using cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. Participants completing ≥2 CPX with ≥1 year between test dates were included in the longitudinal analysis (325 men and 150 women). Linear and quadratic regressions were applied to age and HR_max for the whole cohort and respective CRF groups (high, moderate, and low, relative to age and gender normative values). To test for differences among linear, quadratic, and polynomial equations, the change in R² (cross-sectional analysis) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) (longitudinal analysis) from the linear to the more complex models were calculated. The quadratic or polynomial regression in the cross-sectional analysis, marginally improved the variance in HR_max explained by age compared to the linear regression for the whole cohort (0.2%), moderate fit group (0.3%), and low fit group (0.8%). With no improvements in the high fit group. BIC did not improve for any CRF category in the longitudinal analysis. In conclusion, the minimal differences among linear, quadratic, and polynomial equations in the respective CRF groups, emphasizes the use of linear prediction equations to estimate HR_max.     

Neuromuscular,biomechanical, and energetic adjustments following repeated bouts of downhill running

Purpose:This study used downhill running as a model to investigate the repeated bout effect(RBE) on neuromuscular performance,running biomechanics,and metabolic cost of running.Methods:Ten healthy recreational male runners performed two 30-min bouts of downhill running(DR1 and DR2) at a-20% slope and 2.8 m/s3 weeks apart.Neuromuscular fatigue,level running biomechanics during slow and fast running,and running economy parameters were recorded immediately before and after the downhill bouts,and at...     

Muscle fatigue induced by exercise simulating the work rate of competitive soccer

Fatigue represents a reduction in the capability of muscle to generate force. The aim of the present study was to establish the effects of exercise that simulates the work rate of competitive soccer players on the strength of the knee extensors and knee flexors. Thirteen amateur soccer players (age 23.3±3.9 years, height 1.78±0.05?m, body mass 74.8±3.6?kg; mean±s) were tested during the 2000–2001 soccer season. Muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings was measured on an isokinetic dynamometer. A 90?min soccer-specific intermittent exercise protocol, incorporating a 15?min half-time intermission, was developed to provide fatiguing exercise corresponding in work rate to a game of soccer. The exercise protocol, performed on a programmable motorized treadmill, consisted of the different intensities observed during soccer match-play (e.g. walking, jogging, running, sprinting). Muscle strength was assessed before exercise, at half-time and immediately after exercise. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant reductions (P?<0.001) in peak torque for both the quadriceps and hamstrings at all angular velocities (concentric: 1.05, 2.09, 5.23 rad?·?s^?1; eccentric: 2.09 rad?·?s^?1). The peak torque of the knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF) was greater before exercise [KE: 232±37, 182±34, 129±27, 219±41?N?·?m at 1.05, 2.09 and 5.23 rad?·?s^?1 (concentric) and 2.09 rad?·?s^?1 (eccentric), respectively; KF: 126±20, 112±19, 101±16, 137±23?N?·?m] than at half-time (KE: 209±45, 177±35, 125±36, 214±43?N?·?m; KF: 114±31, 102±20, 92±15, 125±25?N?·?m) and greater at half-time than after exercise (KE: 196±43, 167±35, 118±24, 204±43?N?·?m; KF: 104±25, 95±21, 87±13, 114±27?N?·?m). For the hamstrings?:?quadriceps ratio, significant changes were found (P?<0.05) for both legs, the ratio being greater before than after exercise. For fast?:?slow speed and left?:?right ratios, no significant changes were found. We conclude that there is a progressive reduction in muscle strength that applies across a range of functional characteristics during exercise that mimics the work rate in soccer.     

Comparison of motor competence levels on two assessments across childhood

This study compared performances and motor delay classifications for the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition (TGMD-2) and the Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder (KTK) in a sample of 424 healthy children (47% girls) between 5 and 10 years of age. Low-to-moderate correlations (r range = 0.34–0.52) were found between assessments across age. In general, both boys and girls demonstrated higher raw scores across age groups. However, percentile scores indicated younger children outperformed older children, denoting a normative percentile-based decrease in motor competence (MC) in the older age groups. In total, the TGMD-2 and KTK classified 39.4% and 18.4% children, respectively, as demonstrating very low MC (percentile ≤5). In conclusion, the TGMD-2 classified significantly more children with motor delays than the KTK and the differences between children’s motor skill classification levels by these assessments became greater as the age groups increased. Therefore, the TGMD-2 may demonstrate more susceptibility to sociocultural influences and be more influenced by cumulative motor experiences throughout childhood. Low-to-moderate correlations between assessments also suggest the TGMD-2 and KTK may measure different aspects of MC. As such, it may be important to use multiple assessments to comprehensively assess motor competence.     

Threshold frequency of an electrically induced cramp increases following a repeated,localized fatiguing exercise

Abstract

Though clinical observations and laboratory data provide some support for the neuromuscular imbalance theory of the genesis of exercise-associated muscle cramps, no direct evidence has been published. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of local muscle fatigue on the threshold frequency of an electrically induced muscle cramp. To determine baseline threshold frequency, a cramp was electrically induced in the flexor hallucis brevis of 16 apparently healthy participants (7 males, 9 females; age 25.1 ± 4.8 years). The testing order of control and fatigue conditions was counterbalanced. In the control condition, participants rested in a supine position for 30 min followed by another cramp induction to determine post-threshold frequency. In the fatigue condition, participants performed five bouts of great toe curls at 60% one-repetition maximum to failure with 1 min rest between bouts followed immediately by a post-threshold frequency measurement. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and simple main effects testing showed post-fatigue threshold frequency (32.9 ± 11.7 Hz) was greater (P < 0.001) than pre-fatigue threshold frequency (20.0 ± 7.7 Hz). An increase in threshold frequency seems to demonstrate a decrease in one's propensity to cramp following the fatigue exercise regimen used. These results contradict the proposed theory that suggests cramp propensity should increase following fatigue. However, differences in laboratory versus clinical fatiguing exercise and contributions from other sources, as well as the notion of a graded response to fatiguing exercise, on exercise-associated muscle cramp and electrically induced muscle cramp should be considered.     

辽宁省高职高专与本科院校体育资源及教学现状比较

对辽宁省高职高专院校与普通本科院校的体育师资、体育设施进行调查研究。结果发现,各级院校师生比例与国家要求仍有较大差距;学校领导重视体育师资队伍建设,重视在岗教师的培训,高学历、高职称人员逐年增加,但多数教师集中在三大球类上,不利于新项目的开展;体育场地不足、配置失衡,制约了学校体育的发展。