Serge P. von Duvillard

Determination of maximal lactate steady state response in selected sports events

Maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) refers to the upper limit of blood lactate concentration indicating an equilibrium between lactate production and lactate elimination during constant workload. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether different levels of MLSS may explain different blood lactate concentration (BLC) levels at submaximal workload in the sports events of rowing, cycling, and speed skating. Eleven rowers (mean +/- SD, age 20.1 +/- 1.5 yr, height 188.7 +/- 6.2 cm, weight 82.7 +/- 8.0 kg), 16 cyclists and triathletes (age 23.6 +/- 3.0 yr, height 181.4 +/- 5.6 cm, weight 72.5 +/- 6.2 kg), and 6 speed skaters (age 23.3 +/- 6.6 yr, height 179.5 +/- 7.5 cm, weight 73.2 +/- 5.6 kg) performed an incremental load test to determine maximal workload and several submaximal 30-min constant workloads for MLSS measurement on a rowing ergometer, a cycle ergometer, and on a speed-skating track. Maximal workload was higher (P < or = 0.05) in rowing (416.8 +/- 46.2 W) than in cling (358.6 +/- 34.4 W) and speed skating (383.5 +/- 40.9 W). The level of MLSS differed (P < or = 0.001) in rowing (3.1 +/- 0.5 mmol.l-1), cycling (5.4 +/- 1.0 mmol.l-1), and in speed skating (6.6 +/- 0.9 mmol.l-1). MLSS workload was higher (P < or = 0.05) in rowing (316.2 +/- 29.9 W) and speed skating (300.5 +/- 43.8 W) than in cycling (257.8 +/- 34.6 W). No differences (P > 0.05) in MLSS workload were found between speed skating and rowing. MLSS workload intensity as related to maximal workload was independent (P > 0.05) of the sports event: 76.2% +/- 5.7% in rowing, 71.8% +/- 4.1% in cycling, and 78.1% +/- 4.4% in speed skating. Changes in MLSS do not respond with MLSS workload, the MLSS workload intensity, or with the metabolic profile of the sports event. The observed differences in MLSS and MLSS workload may correspond to the sport-specific mass of working muscle.

A physiological profile of tennis match play

PURPOSE The aim of this investigation was to examine physiological demands of single match play in tennis. METHODS 20 players performed 10 matches of 50 min. Respiratory gas exchange measures (RGEM) and heart rates (HR) were measured using two portable systems. Lactate concentration was determined after each game. The average oxygen uptake (VO2) of 270 games was 29.1 +/- 5.6 mL.kg-1.min-1 (51.1 +/- 10.9% of VO2max). Average VO2 for a game ranged from 10.4 to 47.8 mL.kg-1.min-1 (20.4 and 86.8% of VO2max). Average lactate concentration (LA) was 2.07 +/- 0.9 mmol.L-1 (ranging from 0.7 to 5.2 mmol.L-1). Furthermore, we monitored the duration of rallies (DR), the effective playing time (EPT), and the stroke frequency (SF). The average values of 270 games were DR: 6.4 +/- 4.1 s, EPT: 29.3 +/- 12.1%, SF: 42.6 +/- 9.6 shots.min-1. RESULTS Multiple regression revealed that the DR was the most promising variable for the determination of VO2 in match play (r = 0.54). The body surface area (BSA) and EPT were also entered into the calculation model. In games of two defensive players, VO2 was significantly higher than in games with at least one offensive player. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that energy demands of tennis matches are significantly influenced by DR. The highest average VO2 of a game of 47.8 mL.kg-1.min-1 may be regarded as a guide to assess endurance capacity required to sustain high-intensity periods of tennis matches compared with average VO2 of 29.1 mL.kg-1.min-1 for the 270 games. Our results suggest that proper conditioning is advisable especially for players who prefer to play from the baseline.

Monitoring strength training: neuromuscular and hormonal profile

PURPOSE This study investigated changes induced by a single heavy resistance training session on neuromuscular and endocrine systems in trained athletes, using the same exercises for training and testing. METHODS Five different groups volunteered: track and field male sprinters (MS, N = 6), track and field female sprinters (FS, N = 6), body builders (BB, N = 6), and weight lifters performing low-repetition exercise (WLL, N = 4) and high-repetition exercise (WLH, N = 4). In training, the work performed during half and full squat exercise was monitored for mechanical power output as well as EMG analysis on leg extensor muscles of the subjects belonging to the MS, FS, and BB groups. Just before and immediately after the training session, venous blood samples were obtained for RIA determination of testosterone (T), cortisol (C), lutropin (LH), human prolactin (PRL), and follitropin (FSH) in FS and MS. In the other three groups (BB, WLH, and WLL), the hormonal profile was limited to T and human growth hormone (hGH) only. RESULTS After training the power developed in full squat demonstrated a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.01) in MS and no changes in FS. The EMG activity remained constant during the training session. Consequently, the EMG/Power ratio increased in both MS and FS, although only in MS a statistical significance was noted (P < 0.05). In MS immediately after the session the levels of C, T, and LH were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No changes were found in FS. In both groups and in BB significant negative correlation was found between changes in T level and EMG/Power ratio in half squat performance. CONCLUSIONS It is likely that adequate T level may compensate the effect of fatigue in FT fibers by ensuring a better neuromuscular efficiency.

The effects of frequency of encouragement on performance during maximal exercise testing

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of frequency of verbal encouragement during maximal exercise testing. Twenty-eight participants (12 males, 16 females) aged 20.9 - 1.5 years (mean - s ) performed a maximal exercise test ( V O 2max ) on a treadmill without any verbal encouragement. The participants were matched according to their pre-test V O 2max and placed into either a control group or one of three experimental groups. They performed a second exercise test (post-test) 1 week later. During the second test, the control group received no verbal encouragement; the 20 s (20E), 60 s (60E) and 180 s (180E) encouragement groups received verbal encouragement every 20, 60 and 180 s, respectively, beginning with stage 3 of the exercise test. Relative V O 2max , exercise time, blood lactate concentration, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were not significantly different from the first test to the second test for the control group without verbal encouragement and the 180E group that received infrequent encouragement. Post-test values were significantly higher than pre-test values for the 20E and 60E groups. The post-test values of the 20E group were significantly higher than their pre-test values for relative V O 2max ( P ≪ 0.001), exercise time ( P ≪ 0.0001), blood lactate concentr . ation ( P ≪ 0.05), RER ( P ≪ 0.01) and RPE ( P ≪ 0.0001); this was also the case for the 60E group for relative V O 2max ( P ≪ 0.01), blood lactate concentration ( P ≪ 0.05), RER ( P ≪ 0.05) and RPE ( P ≪ 0.05). The results suggest that frequent verbal encouragement (every 20 s and 60 s in the present study) leads to significantly greater maximum effort in a treadmill test than when no encouragement is given or when the encouragement is infrequent (i.e. every 180 s).

Effect of Test Interruptions on Blood Lactate during Constant Workload Testing

OBJECTIVE To determine whether repetitive test interruptions (TI) during constant load testing influence blood lactate concentration (BLC), maximal lactate steady state (MLSS), MLSS workload (P-MLSS), and relative MLSS intensity (Int-MLSS). METHODS Nineteen males participated in this study. In experiment A, 10 subjects (27.5 +/- 2.9 yr; 183.7 +/- 5.2 cm; 77.4 +/- 3.7 kg) performed 30-min constant load tests: one without TI, one with TI of 30 s, and one with TI of 90 s after every 5 min of cycling at a given workload. In experiment B, nine subjects (28.0 +/- 2.7 yr; 182.9 +/- 6.8 cm; 76.2 +/- 4.5 kg) performed 30-min constant load tests at different workloads until MLSS had been determined for all three TI protocols. RESULTS In experiment A, the BLC after 30 min net working time (BLC30) was higher (P < 0.001) without TI (6.0 +/- 1.3 mmol.l(-1)) than with TI of 30 s (4.9 +/- 1.4 mmol.l(-1)) or 90 s (4.5 +/- 1.1 mmol.l(-1)). The change in BLC during the final 20 min (DeltaBLC10-30) was greater (P < 0.01) without TI (1.2 +/- 1.0 mmol.l(-1)) than with TI of 30 s (0.2 +/- 0.7 mmol.l(-1)) or 90 s (-0.3 +/- 0.7 mmol.l(-1)). In experiment B, the MLSS was not affected, but P-MLSS and Int-MLSS were lower (P < 0.01) without TI (277.8 +/- 24.4W and 73.7 +/- 7.6%) than with TI of 30 s (300.4 +/- 30.4W and 79.2 +/- 8.0%) or 90 s (310.0 +/- 31.2W and 81.5 +/- 7.1%). Approximately 35% of the variance of BLC30 and DeltaBLC10-30, and 70% of the variance of P-MLSS and Int-MLSS were explained by TI duration (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS TI decreased BLC30 and DeltaBLC10-30 but has no effect on MLSS. Consequently, with TI, the MLSS is achieved at higher P-MLSS and Int-MLSS.

Plasma Visfatin and Ghrelin Response to Prolonged Sculling in Competitive Male Rowers

PURPOSE The aim of this investigation was to measure plasma visfatin and ghrelin responses to a single endurance rowing training session in male competitive single scull rowers. METHODS Nine national level male rowers (20.1 +/- 1.5 yr; 183.9 +/- 4.3 cm; 81.0 +/- 5.0 kg; 10.8 +/- 3.3% body fat) completed two trials (exercise or control) on separate days. The exercise consisted of a prolonged rowing training session lasting approximately 2 h (distance = 20.7 +/- 1.4 km; HR = 133 +/- 4 bpm; intensity = 80.2 +/- 1.6% of the HR turn point) followed by a 30-min rest. Venous blood samples were collected before and after on-water rowing. The control trial consisted of rest and blood collection similar to exercise trial. RESULTS No differences were found at baseline values for plasma visfatin, ghrelin, and leptin for both trials. The estimated energy expenditure of the exercise trial was 1200-1500 kcal. Plasma visfatin (-10.0%; P < 0.05) and leptin (-20.0%; P < 0.05) were reduced, and ghrelin concentration was increased (+12.2%; P < 0.05) after a 30-min postexercise. No differences in plasma visfatin, ghrelin, or leptin over time were observed during control trial. There was no relationship between basal visfatin and body composition, energy balance, aerobic power, or blood biochemical data. Plasma visfatin (r = -0.76) and ghrelin (r = 0.75) measured immediately after the training session were related (P < 0.05) to the distance covered, and no relation was observed for postexercise leptin (r = -0.16; P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Acute negative energy balance induced by a single endurance rowing training session elicited an inverse metabolic response in visfatin and ghrelin in competitive male rowers. Our results suggest that peripheral markers of negative energy balance, such as visfatin and ghrelin, may be regarded as signals for metabolic reaction to the energy cost of acute exercise. The results of our study also suggest that an energy-deficit threshold must be met for the response to occur.

Effect of high-volume and -intensity endurance training in heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND A recommended component of heart transplant recipients (HTR) is endurance-oriented exercise therapy. However, the trainability of HTR after transplantation is vague. We examined the effect of high-volume and -intensity exercise training on exercise performance in HTR, compared with HTR undergoing regular rehabilitation training, and sedentary healthy subjects (SHS). METHODS We studied four groups of individuals; of those, three groups were HTR. Subjects were a regularly trained HTR group of denervated (HTR-D; N = 15), reinnervated (HTR-R; N = 26) hearts, a high-volume and -intensity endurance-training group (training time 7-20 h.wk(-1); HTR-ET; N = 12), and a group of sedentary healthy subjects (SHS; N = 21). All participants performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS The HTR-ET achieved a significantly higher performance (255 +/- 47 W, VO(2max) of 45.2 +/- 6.9 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) in contrast to all other groups (HTR-D: 119 +/- 17 W, VO(2max) of 17.4 +/- 4.5 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); HTR-R: 119 +/- 17 W, VO(2max) of 16.9 +/- 3.7 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); SHS: 184 +/- 19 W, VO(2max) of 35.0 +/- 6.9 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)). The HR at maximal power output in the HTR-ET was 169 +/- 17 bpm and similar to SHS (164 +/- 17 bpm), but significantly higher than HTR-D (125 +/- 16) and HTR-R (142 +/- 10). Maximal lactate concentration (LAmax) of HTR-ET was 9.9 +/- 2.2 mmol.L(-1), comparable to SHS (9.2 +/- 2.1 mmol.L(-1)), and significantly higher than HTR-D (5.5 +/- 1.5 mmol.L(-1)) and HTR-R (5.1 +/- 1.0 mmol.L(-1)). CONCLUSIONS Data suggest that HTR can perform high-volume and -intensity exercise training, reaching exercise performance comparable to or even exceeding values of sedentary or moderately trained healthy subjects.

Early 4-week cardiac rehabilitation exercise training in elderly patients after heart surgery.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the effects on exercise performance of supplementing a standard cardiac rehabilitation program with additional exercise programming compared to the standard cardiac rehabilitation program alone in elderly patients after heart surgery. METHODS In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients (32 men and 28 women, mean age 73.1 ± 4.7 years) completed cardiac rehabilitation (initiated 12.2 ± 4.9 days postsurgery). Subjects were assigned to either a control group (CG, standard cardiac rehabilitation program [n = 19]), or an intervention group (IG, additional walking [n = 19], or cycle ergometry training [n = 22]). A symptom limited cardiopulmonary exercise test and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed before and after 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation. The MacNew questionnaire was used to assess quality of life (QOL). RESULTS At baseline, no significant differences for peak oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2), maximal power output, or the 6MWT were detected between IG and CG. Global QOL was significantly higher in IG. After 4 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation, patients significantly improved in absolute values of the cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6MWT, and QOL scores. Significant differences between groups were found for peak &OV0312;O2 (IG: 18.2 ± 3.1 mL·kg−1·min−1 vs. CG: 16.5 ± 2.2 mL·kg−1·min−1, P < .05); maximal power output (IG: 72.2 ± 16 W vs. CG: 60.7 ± 15 W, P < .05); 6MWT (IG: 454.8 ± 76.3 m vs. CG: 400.5 ± 75.5 m, P < .05); and QOL global (IG: 6.5 ± 0.5 vs. CG: 6.3 ± 0.6, P < .05). CONCLUSION The supplementation of additional walking or cycle exercise training to standard cardiac rehabilitation programming compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation alone in elderly patients after heart surgery leads to significantly better exercise tolerance.

Respiratory gas exchange and lactate measures during competitive orienteering.

PURPOSE In the past, orienteering sports analyses were based on heart rate (HR) and lactate (LA) measures. This study assessed additional respiratory gas exchange measures (RGEM) to provide further information regarding the physiological requirements of orienteering competitions (OTC). METHODS Eleven elite male athletes performed simulated OTC. RGEM were performed using a portable system. LA was determined after each section (total of six) of OTC. Athletes were also subjected to treadmill testing (TT). RESULTS Average values for the entire OTC were [OV0312]O(2OTC): 56.4 +/- 4.5 mL.kg-1.min-1 (83.0 +/- 3.8% of [OV0312]O(2max) of TT), HR(OTC): 172 +/- 11 bpm, and LA(OTC): 5.16 +/- 1.5 mmol.L-1. The highest measured [OV0312]O(2OTC) of an athlete in this study was 64.4 +/- 2.9 mL.kg-1.min-1. [OV0312]O(2OTC) was 94.6 +/- 5.2% of [OV0312]O(2IAT) (IAT= individual anaerobic threshold), HR(OTC) was 98.0 +/- 2.9% of HR(IAT), respiratory exchange ratio was 97 +/- 3.8% and LA(OTC) was 143.9 +/- 24.2% of LA(IAT). In contrast to [OV0312]O(2) and LA, average HR were similar in all sections of OTC despite topographical differences of the course. No correlations were found between running time of OTC and variables of endurance performance. Running time correlated with running distance (P < 0.001; r = 0.83) and running speed (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION 1) Energy requirements during OTC were derived predominately via aerobic metabolism. 2) The highest [OV0312]O(2OTC) value of 64.4 mL.kg-1.min-1 may be regarded as the reference for intensities of OTC. 3) During OTC, most athletes avoid high-intensity periods of long duration. 4) Performance in OTC was essentially influenced by technical abilities. 5) Using only LA for evaluation may lead to overestimation of energy demands during OTC. 6) HR measures were not sufficiently sensitive to ascertain energy requirements of the OTC. Therefore, RGEM provided additional information regarding energy expenditure of OTC compared with LA and HR measures alone.

THE HEART RATE TURN POINT RELIABILITY AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to test protocol variations on the heart rate performance curve (HRPC) and the heart rate turn point (HRTP) according to Conconi et al. (1996). Respiratory gas exchange variables were used to define three phases of energy supply (I, II, III). METHODS Eighteen healthy young male subjects performed 4 tests (T1-T4). T1: initial speed of 6 km x h(-1) followed by increments of 0.6 km x h(-1) every 60 s. Subjects were than randomized for the next three tests. T2: initial speed 5.6 km x h(-1) followed by increments of 0.2 km x h(-1) every 20 s; T3: similar to T2, in the second half of phase III acceleration (S) was increased. T4: like T2, at the beginning of phase III, S was increased. No differences were found in the degree of the deflection of the HRPC expressed as factor kHR between T1 (0.228 +/- 0.225) and T2 (0.248 +/- 0.231) but a significant increase was found in T3 (0.533 +/- 0.248) and T4 (0.770 +/- 0.258). RESULTS The modifications of the protocol (T3 and T4) systematically influenced the deflection of the HRPC, but kHR was highly reproducible in all tests. Eleven subjects showed degrees of deflection in the HRPC in all tests. There were no significant differences for S, HR, and VO2 at the HRTP. An HRTP was not found in seven subjects in neither T1 or T2; however, in T3 and T4, these seven subjects showed a deflection of HRPC resulting from the protocol. The HRTP was found to be dependent on the start of the acceleration in phase III. In cases with a linear time course in the HRPC in T1 and T2, in T3 an HRTP was found at 15.6 km x h(-1) and in T4 at 13.6 km x h(-1) , respectively. CONCLUSION The Conconi test protocol with an accelerated increase in S in the final phase of the test has a major influence on the occurrence of the HRTP in cases of near linear HRPC.