Erik Hayes

New records in aerobic power among octogenarian lifelong endurance athletes

We examined whole body aerobic capacity and myocellular markers of oxidative metabolism in lifelong endurance athletes [n = 9, 81 ± 1 yr, 68 ± 3 kg, body mass index (BMI) = 23 ± 1 kg/m(2)] and age-matched, healthy, untrained men (n = 6; 82 ± 1 y, 77 ± 5 kg, BMI = 26 ± 1 kg/m(2)). The endurance athletes were cross-country skiers, including a former Olympic champion and several national/regional champions, with a history of aerobic exercise and participation in endurance events throughout their lives. Each subject performed a maximal cycle test to assess aerobic capacity (VO(2max)). Subjects had a resting vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to assess oxidative enzymes (citrate synthase and βHAD) and molecular (mRNA) targets associated with mitochondrial biogenesis [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam)]. The octogenarian athletes had a higher (P < 0.05) absolute (2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 l/min) and relative (38 ± 1 vs. 21 ± 1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) VO(2max), ventilation (79 ± 3 vs. 64 ± 7 l/min), heart rate (160 ± 5 vs. 146 ± 8 beats per minute), and final workload (182 ± 4 vs. 131 ± 14 W). Skeletal muscle oxidative enzymes were 54% (citrate synthase) and 42% (βHAD) higher (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. Likewise, basal PGC-1α and Tfam mRNA were 135% and 80% greater (P < 0.05) in the octogenarian athletes. To our knowledge, the VO(2max) of the lifelong endurance athletes is the highest recorded in humans >80 yr of age and comparable to nonendurance trained men 40 years younger. The superior cardiovascular and skeletal muscle health profile of the octogenarian athletes provides a large functional reserve above the aerobic frailty threshold and is associated with lower risk for disability and mortality.

Human vastus lateralis and soleus muscles display divergent cellular contractile properties

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential differences in single-fiber contractile physiology of fibers with the same myosin heavy chain isoform (MHC I and MHC IIa) originating from different muscles. Vastus lateralis (VL) and soleus biopsies were obtained from 27 recreationally active females (31 +/- 1 yr, 59 +/- 1 kg). A total of 943 single fibers (MHC I = 562; MHC IIa = 301) were isolated and examined for diameter, peak tension (Po), shortening velocity (Vo), and power. The soleus had larger (P < 0.05) fibers (MHC I +18%; MHC IIa +19%), higher MHC I Vo (+13%), and higher MHC I Po (+18%) compared with fibers from the VL. In contrast, fibers from the VL had higher (P < 0.05) specific tension (MHC I +18%; MHC IIa +20%), and MHC I normalized power (+25%) compared with the soleus. There was a trend for MHC IIa soleus fibers to have higher Vo [MHC IIa +13% (P = 0.058)], whereas VL MHC IIa fibers showed a trend for higher normalized power compared with soleus fibers [MHC IIa +33% (P = 0.079)]. No differences in absolute power were detected between muscles. These data highlight muscle-specific differences in single-fiber contractile function that should serve as a scientific basis for consideration when extending observations of skeletal muscle tissue from one muscle of interest to other muscles of origin. This is important when examining skeletal muscle adaptation to physical states such as aging, unloading, and training.

Myocellular Basis for Tapering in Competitive Distance Runners

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 3-wk taper on the physiology of competitive distance runners. We studied seven collegiate distance runners (20+/-1 yr, 66+/-1 kg) before and after a 3-wk taper. The primary measures included 8-km cross-country race performance, gastrocnemius single muscle fiber size and function (peak force, shortening velocity, and power), baseline and exercise-induced gene expression 4 h after a standardized 8-km run, citrate synthase activity, and maximal and submaximal cardiovascular physiology (oxygen consumption, ventilation, heart rate, and respiratory exchange ratio). Race performance improved by 3% following taper (P<0.05). Myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIa fiber diameter (+7%, P<0.05), peak force (+11%, P=0.06), and absolute power (+9%, P<0.05) increased following taper. In addition to the MHC IIa adaptations, taper elicited a distinct postexercise gene response. Specifically, the induction of MuRF-1 was attenuated following taper, whereas MRF4, HSP 72, and MT-2A displayed an exaggerated response (P<0.05). No changes were observed in MHC I size or function, baseline gene expression, citrate synthase activity, or cardiovascular function. Our findings show that tapered training in competitive runners promoted MHC IIa fiber remodeling and an altered transcriptional response following the same exercise perturbation, with no adverse affects on aerobic fitness. Together, these results provide a myocellular basis for distance runners to taper in preparation for peak performance.

Skeletal muscle plasticity with marathon training in novice runners

The purpose of this study was to investigate leg muscle adaptation in runners preparing for their first marathon. Soleus and vastus lateralis (VL) biopsies were obtained from six recreational runners (23 ± 1 years, 61 ± 3 kg) before (T1), after 13 weeks of run training (T2), and after 3 weeks of taper and marathon (T3). Single muscle fiber size, contractile function (strength, speed, and power) and oxidative enzyme activity [citrate synthase (CS)] were measured at all three time points, and fiber type distribution was determined before and after the 16‐week intervention. Training increased VO2max∼9% (P<0.05). All soleus parameters were unchanged. VL MHC I fiber diameter increased (+8%; P<0.05) from T1 to T2. VL MHC I Vo (−12%), MHC I power (−22%) and MHC IIa power (−29%) were reduced from T1 to T2 (P<0.05). No changes in VL single fiber contractile properties were observed from T2 to T3. No change was observed in soleus CS activity, whereas VL CS activity increased 66% (P<0.05). Our observations indicate that modest marathon training elicits very specific skeletal muscle adaptations that likely support the ability to perform 42.2 km of continuous running – further strengthening the existing body of evidence for skeletal muscle specificity.