Steven F. Siconolfi

Assessing VO2max in epidemiologic studies: modification of the Astrand-Rhyming test.

Direct measurement of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the standard index of cardiorespiratory fitness, but is practical only in a laboratory setting. Current cycle ergometer tests to estimate VO2max are difficult for inactive adults because most of these tests are lengthy and require a high initial exercise rate. We modified an existing test, the Astrand-Rhyming test, to avoid these problems. Maximum oxygen uptake was measured directly and estimated by means of our protocol in a test group of 50 men and women, ten for each decade between 20 and 70 yr, to develop multiple regression equations to correct for variations due to age. Equations for each sex were computed with directly measured VO2max as the dependent variable and with the estimated VO2max and age as independent variables. The validity of these equations was tested by deriving data from an additional 63 subjects (validity group). No significant differences were found between the directly measured VO2max and the VO2max estimated by our protocol and equations. For each group, the mean difference between the two values was less than 120 ml X min-1. Correlations between the measured and estimated VO2max ranged from 0.92-0.93 for the age groups. Our modification of the Astrand-Rhyming protocol accurately estimates VO2max and is safe and suitable for assessing cardiovascular fitness in epidemiologic studies of people between the ages of 20-70 yr.

Acute decrease in serum triglycerides with exercise: Is there a threshold for an exercise effect?☆

Acute reductions in triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations have been demonstrated in endurance athletes after prolonged exercise. To determine if similar changes occur in untrained subjects and to determine the duration of exercise necessary for such changes, we measured serum lipids and lipoproteins in 10 sedentary men after 1 hour of exercise at their anaerobic threshold. Findings in sedentary men were compared with those of 9 competitive cyclists after 1 and 2 hr of exercise. LDL cholesterol increased in the cyclists immediately after 1 and 2 hours of exercise. Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also increased in the cyclists immediately after the 2 hr session. These increases were transient and not significant when corrected for changes in plasma volume. Serum triglycerides were unchanged for 4 hr after exercise. By 24 hr, however, triglycerides had decreased in both the trained (17%) and untrained men (22%) after the 1 hr session and in the trained men (33% p < 0.01) after the 2 hr session. These results demonstrate a delayed decrease in triglyceride concentration that is related to the duration of exercise and probably has no distinct threshold. The lower level of triglycerides in endurance athletes and in sedentary subjects after exercise training is due at least in part to an acute exercise effect.

Metabolic and performance responses to uphill and downhill running in distance runners

Distance running performance is slower on hilly race courses than flat courses even when the start and finish are at the same elevation, resulting in equal amounts of uphill and downhill running. The physiological mechanism limiting performance on these courses is not known. We examined the effects of uphills and downhills with 11 trained male distance runners running three 30 min self-paced competitive races on a treadmill. Race courses consisted of five, 6 min stages. Percent grades were: course A (0, 0, 0, 0, 0), course B (0, +5, 0, -5, 0) and course C (0, -5, 0, +5, 0). Pace, oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) did not change significantly (P greater than 0.05) over stages on the control course A. Pace changed inversely with percent grade on courses B and C. The increase in downhill running pace was inadequate to maintain a level VO2 during the race. LA increased on the uphill stages even though running pace decreased. The running paces for courses B and C were slower (P less than 0.05) than course A by 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively. Runners do not maintain constant energy expenditure when racing on hilly courses. Lactate accumulated on uphill stages even though pace decreased. Running pace increased on downhills but not enough to maintain a constant VO2.

ACUTE DECREASE IN SERUM TRIGLYCERIDES WITH EXERCISE: IS THERE A THRESHOLD FOR AN EXERCISE EFFECT?

Acute reductions in triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations have been demonstrated in endurance athletes after prolonged exercise. To determine if similar changes occur in untrained subjects and to determine the duration of exercise necessary for such changes, we measured serum lipids and lipoproteins in 10 sedentary men after 1 hour of exercise at their anaerobic threshold. Findings in sedentary men were compared with those of 9 competitive cyclists after 1 and 2 hr of exercise. LDL cholesterol increased in the cyclists immediately after 1 and 2 hours of exercise. Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also increased in the cyclists immediately after the 2 hr session. These increases were transient and not significant when corrected for changes in plasma volume. Serum triglycerides were unchanged for 4 hr after exercise. By 24 hr, however, triglycerides had decreased in both the trained (17%) and untrained men (22%) after the 1 hr session and in the trained men (33% p less than 0.01) after the 2 hr session. These results demonstrate a delayed decrease in triglyceride concentration that is related to the duration of exercise and probably has no distinct threshold. The lower level of triglycerides in endurance athletes and in sedentary subjects after exercise training is due at least in part to an acute exercise effect.