K. Nazar

Psychomotor performance during prolonged exercise above and below the blood lactate threshold

Abstract Previous investigations from this laboratory have demonstrated that during graded exercise with exercise intensities increasing every 3 min until exhaustion the multiple choice reaction time (RT) decreased until the intensity exceeded the lactate threshold (LT) by approximately 25%, and then rapidly increased. The aim of this study was to follow up changes in RT during prolonged exercise at constant intensities above and below LT and to relate these changes to changes in venous blood lactate [La−]b, and plasma catecholamine [CA]pl concentration responses to the exercise. For this purpose eight young soccer players exercised for 20-min on a cycle ergometer at 10% above LT, and nine exercised for 60 min at an intensity 30% below LT. During both tests RT, heart rate (HR), as well as [La−]b, and [CA]pl were measured. Above LT, RT decreased from the 5th min until the end of exercise, whilst HR, [La−]b, and [CA]pl increased progressively. Significant inverse correlations were ascertained between RT and plasma adrenaline (r = − 0.651) and noradrenaline concentrations (r = − 0.678). During exercise below LT, RT decreased up to approximately 40 min, then it reached a nadir, and stabilized at this level. This was accompanied by only small changes in [La−]b and [CA]pl. The present findings would indicate that young athletes are able to maintain for a relatively long time, or even increase, their psychomotor performance during endurance exercise both below and above the LT.

Anaerobic threshold in rats

1. The aim of this study was to find out whether the anaerobic threshold (AT) can be estimated in rats running at increasing speed and if so what is the reproducibility of the measurements. 2. Lactate (LA) concentrations in blood taken from 11 rats were determined during a discontinued, multistage treadmill exercise test repeated four times in each animal. 3. It was found that blood LA changes vs speed have an exponential pattern with a distinct, rapid rise at the speed above 25 m/min which corresponds to blood LA of approx. 4 mmol/l. 4. The variation coefficient of the speed at which AT occurred in individual animals ranged between 10 and 20%. 5. These results offer a potential application of AT determination in the animal studies concerning mechanisms controlling exercise metabolism.

Threshold increases in plasma growth hormone in relation to plasma catecholamine and blood lactate concentrations during progressive exercise in endurance-trained athletes

Plasma human growth hormone ([HGH]), adrenaline ([A]), noradrenaline ([NA]) and blood lactate ([La−]b) concentrations were measured during progressive, multistage exercise on a cycle ergometer in 12 endurance-trained athletes [aged 32.0 (SEM 2.0) years]. Exercise intensities (3 min each) were increased by 50 W until the subjects felt exhausted. Venous blood samples were taken after each intensity. The [HGH] and catecholamine concentrations increased negligibly during exercise of low to moderate intensities revealing an abrupt rise at the load corresponding to the lactate threshold ([La−]-T). Close correlations (P < 0.001) were found between [La−]b and plasma [HGH] (r = 0.64), [A] (r = 0.71) and [NA] (r = 0.81). The mean threshold exercise intensities for [HGH], [A] and [NA], detected by log-log transformation, [154 (SEM 19) W, 162 (SEM 15) W and 160 (SEM 17) W, respectively] were not significantly different from the [La−]-T [161 (SEM 12) W]. The results indicated that the threshold rise in plasma [HGH] followed the patterns of plasma catecholamine and blood lactate accumulation during progressive exercise in the endurancetrained athletes.

Greater serum GH response to arm than to leg exercise performed at equivalent oxygen uptake.

SummaryThe aim of this study was to provide information concerning the mechanism of exercise-induced stimulation of growth hormone (GH) release in human subjects. For this reason serum GH as well as some hemodynamic variables and blood concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), insulin (IRI), lactate (LA), glucose (BG), and free fatty acids (FFA) were determined in seven healthy male subjects exercising on a bicycle ergometer with arms or legs and running on a treadmill at equivalent oxygen consumption levels. Significantly greater increases in serum GH concentration accompanied arm exercises than those observed during the leg exercises. This was accompanied by greater increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and plasma NA and blood lactate concentrations. Serum IRI decreased during both leg exercises and did not change during the arm exercise. There were no differences in BG and plasma FFA concentrations between the three types of exercise.The role of humoral and neural signals responsible for the greater GH response to arm exercise is discussed. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neural afferent signals sent by muscle “metabolic receptors” participate in the activation of GH release during physical exercise. It seems likely that the stimulation of these chemoreceptors is more pronounced when smaller muscle groups are engaged at a given work load. However, a contribution of efferent impulses derived from the brain motor centres to the control system of GH secretion during exercise is also possible.

The effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on performance, hormonal and metabolic responses to a 30-s bout of supramaximal exercise.

Abstract The aim of this study was to find out whether a low-carbohydrate diet (L-CHO) affects: (1) the capacity for all-out anaerobic exercise, and (2) hormonal and metabolic responses to this type of exercise. To this purpose, eight healthy subjects underwent a 30-s bicycle Wingate test preceded by either 3 days of a controlled mixed diet (130 kJ/kg of body mass daily, 50% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 20% protein) or 3 days of an isoenergetic L-CHO diet (up to 5% carbohydrate, 50% fat, 45% protein) in a randomized order. Before and during 1 h after the exercise venous blood samples were taken for measurement of blood lactate (LA), β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), glucose, adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA) and insulin levels. Oxygen consumption (V˙O2) was also determined. It was found that the L-CHO diet diminished the mean power output during the 30-s exercise bout [533 (7) W vs 581 (7) W, P < 0.05] without changing the maximal power attained during the first or second 5-s interval of the exercise. In comparison with the data obtained after the consumption of a mixed diet, after the consumption of a L-CHO diet resting plasma concentrations of β-HB [2.38 (0.18) vs 0.23 (0.01) mmol · l−1, P < 0.001] and NA [4.81 (0.68) vs 2.2 (0.31) nmol · l−1, P < 0.05] were higher, while glucose [4.6 (0.1) vs 5.7 (0.2) mmol · l−1, P < 0.05] and insulin concentrations [11.9 (0.9) vs 21.8 (1.8) mU · l−1] were lower. The 1-h post-exercise excess of V˙O2 [9.1 (0.25) vs 10.6 (0.25) l, P < 0.05], and blood LA measured 3 min after the exercise [9.5 (0.4) vs 10.6 (0.5) mmol · l−1, P < 0.05] were lower following the L-CHO treatment, whilst plasma NA and A concentrations reached higher values [2.24 (0.40) vs 1.21 (0.13) nmol · l−1 and 14.30 (1.41) vs 8.20 (1.31) nmol · l−1, P < 0.01, respectively]. In subjects on the L-CHO diet, the plasma β-HB concentration decreased quickly after exercise, attaining ≈30% of the pre-exercise value within 60 min, while insulin and glucose levels were elevated. The main conclusions of this study are: (1) a L-CHO diet is detrimental to anaerobic work capacity, possibly because of a reduced muscle glycogen store and decreased rate of glycolysis; (2) reduced carbohydrate intake for 3 days enhances activity of the sympathoadrenal system at rest and after exercise.

Plasma testosterone and catecholamine responses to physical exercise of different intensities in men

SummaryPlasma testosterone, noradrenaline, and adrenaline concentrations during three bicycle ergometer tests of the same total work output (2160 J·kg−1) but different intensity and duration were measured in healthy male subjects. Tests A and B consisted of three consecutive exercise bouts, lasting 6 min each, of either increasing (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 W·kg−1) or constant (2.0, 2.0, 2.0 W·kg−1) work loads, respectively. In test C the subjects performed two exercise bouts each lasting 4.5 min, with work loads of 4.0 W·kg−1. All the exercise bouts were separated by 1-min periods of rest.Exercise B of constant low intensity resulted only in a small increase in plasma noradrenaline concentration. Exercise A of graded intensity caused an increase in both catecholamine levels, whereas, during the most intensive exercise C, significant elevations in plasma noradrenaline, adrenaline and testosterone concentrations occurred. A significant positive correlation was obtained between the mean value of plasma testosterone and that of adrenaline as well as noradrenaline during exercise.It is concluded that both plasma testosterone and catecholamine responses to physical effort depend more on work intensity than on work duration or total work output.

Metabolic, body temperature and hormonal responses to repeated periods of prolonged cycle-ergometer exercise in men

SummaryThis study was designed to find out whether rest intervals and prevention of dehydration during prolonged exercise inhibit a drift in metabolic rate, body temperature and hormonal response typically occurring during continuous work. For this purpose in ten healthy men the heart rate (tc), rectal temperature (Tre), oxygen uptake (VO2), as well as blood metabolite and some hormone concentrations were measured during 2-h exercise at approximately 50% maximal oxygen uptake split into four equal parts by 30-min rest intervals during which body water losses were replaced. During each 30-min exercise period there was a rapid change in Tre and tc superimposed on which, these values increased progressively in consecutive exercise periods (slow drift). The VO2 showed similar changes but there were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio, pulmonary ventilation, mechanical efficiency and plasma osmolality between successive periods of exercise. Blood glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations decreased in consecutive exercise periods, whereas plasma free fatty acid, glycerol, catecholamine, growth hormone and glucagon concentrations increased. Blood lactate concentrations did not show any regular drift and the plasma cortisol concentration decreased during the first two exercise periods and then increased. In conclusion, in spite of the relatively long rest intervals between the periods of prolonged exercise and the prevention of dehydration several physiological and hormonal variables showed a distinct drift with time. It is suggested that the slow drift in metabolic rate could have been attributable in the main to the increased concentrations of heat liberating hormones.

Cardiovascular and sympatho-adrenal responses to static handgrip performed with one and two hands

Summary12 healthy men aged 21–25 years performed, in the sitting position, a sustained handgrip at 25% of their maximum voluntary contraction, first with each hand separately and then with both hands simultanesouly. Heart are (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), stroke volume (determined reographically) and plasma catecholamine concentration were measured during each handgrip test. The HR and SBP increased consistently during each handgrip test while stroke volume decreased by approximately 20% of the initial value. Cardiac output did not change significantly. There were no significant differences in the magnitude and dynamics of the cardiovascular responses between the tests with one and with both hands. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels showed similar elevations in response to handgrip performed with the right hand and with both hands, while during the exercise performed with the left hand the increase in the plasma catecholamine concentration was less pronounced. It was concluded that: (1) during sustained handgrip, performed in the sitting position by young healthy subjects, the stroke volume markedly decreases and cardiac output does not change significantly in spite of the increased HR; (2) the cardiovascular and sympatho-adrenal responses to static handgrip do not depend on the mass of contracting muscle when the same relative tension is developed.

Plasma vasopressin, growth hormone and ACTH responses to static handgrip in healthy subjects

SummaryTen healthy male subjects took part in the study. They performed three consecutive bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), using two hands alternately and without rest intervals. Blood pressure was measured every 30 s and ECG was recorded continuously. Blood samples for arginine vasopressin (AVP), growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol determinations were taken at rest, after each exercise bout, as well as at 10 and 30 min after the last one. During the whole period of exercise (9 min) blood pressure and heart rate were elevated. The effort caused a significant increase in the plasma AVP concentration. In the majority of subjects the peak values occurred after the first or second exercise bout and were followed by a rapid decline of the hormone concentration. Changes in GH, ACTH and cortisol concentrations were insignificant; however, in seven of the ten subjects, considerably elevated plasma GH levels were found at the end of the third exercise bout and/or 10 min after its cessation.

Mechanism of impaired capacity for prolonged muscular work following beta-adrenergic blockade in dogs

SummaryEffect of glucose infusion on running ability was studied in dogs after beta-adrenergic blockade. Dogs pretreated with Inderal performed treadmill exercise of moderate intensity until exhaustion. The amount of work performed until exhaustion was 47.7% smaller than in control experiments without blockade. During exercise a significant decrease was found in plasma FFA, blood glucose and muscle glycogen concentration. In order to explain whether the impairment of working capacity is related to hypoglycaemia and a subsequent reduction of glucose supply to the central nervous system, intracarotid glucose infusion at a rate of 70 mg/min was given at the point of exhaustion. This infusion did not restore the working ability. The intravenous glucose infusion at a rate 45 mg/kg per min enabled the previously exhausted dogs to continue the run within 5–7 min. Subsequently they were able to run with glucose infusion at a rate 20 mg/kg per min for a long period of time until they became again exhausted.It was concluded that the impairment of working capacity is directly related to a deficiency of energy substrates available for working muscles. Although the drop in blood glucose level could be a factor forcing the dogs to stop running, the increase of glucose supply to the brain only did not restore the running ability.