Measurement of Human Power Output in High Intensity Exercise

2021.—Many previous studies have examined hypoxia-induced physiological responses using various conditions, e.g., artificially reduced atmospheric oxygen concentration [normobaric hypoxia (NH) condition] or low barometric pressure at a mountain [hypobaric hypoxia (HH) condition]. However, when comparing the results from these previous studies conducted in artificial NH and HH including real high altitude, we must consider the possibility that environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and fraction of inspired carbon dioxide, might affect the physiological responses. Therefore, we examined cardiorespiratory responses and exercise performances during low- to high-intensity exercise at a fixed heart rate (HR) in both NH and HH using a specific chamber where atmospheric oxygen concentration and barometric pressure as well as the abovementioned environmental factors were precisely controlled. Ten well-trained university students (eight males and two females) performed the exercise test consisting of two 20-minute submaximal pedaling at the intensity corresponding to 50% (low) and 70% (high) of their HR reserve, under three conditions [NH (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.135; barometric pressure, 754 mmHg), HH (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.209; barometric pressure, 504 mmHg), and normobaric normoxia (NN; fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.209; barometric pressure, 754 mmHg)]. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) to estimate arterial oxygen saturation and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) were monitored throughout the experiment. SpO2, PETCO2, and power output at fixed HRs (i.e., pedaling efficiency) in NH and HH were all significantly lower than those in NN. Moreover, high-intensity exercise in HH induced greater decreases in SpO2 and power output than did high-intensity exercise in NH (NH vs. HH; SpO2, 78.2% - 5.0% vs. 75.1% - 7.1%; power output, 120.7 - 24.9 W vs. 112.4 - 23.2 W, both p < 0.05). However, high-intensity exercise in HH induced greater increases in PETCO2 than did high-intensity exercise in NH (NH vs. HH; 54.2 - 5.9mmHg vs. 57.2 - 3.4 mmHg, p < 0.01). These results suggest that physiological responses and power output at a fixed HR during hypoxic exposure might depend on the method used to generate the hypoxic condition.

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Caffeine, performance, and metabolism during repeated Wingate exercise tests

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1998.85.4.1502 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 1502-1508 ◽

Cited By ~ 123

Author(s):

F. Greer ◽

C. McLean ◽

T. E. Graham

Keyword(s):

Power Output ◽

High Intensity ◽

Anaerobic Metabolism ◽

Exercise Bout ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Intense Exercise ◽

Short Term ◽

Exercise Tests ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Epinephrine Concentration

Investigations examining the ergogenic and metabolic influence of caffeine during short-term high-intensity exercise are few in number and have produced inconsistent results. This study examined the effects of caffeine on repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise in recreationally active men. Subjects ( n = 9) completed four 30-s Wingate (WG) sprints with 4 min of rest between each exercise bout on two separate occasions. One hour before exercise, either placebo (Pl; dextrose) or caffeine (Caf; 6 mg/kg) capsules were ingested. Caf ingestion did not have any effect on power output (peak or average) in the first two WG tests and had a negative effect in the latter two exercise bouts. Plasma epinephrine concentration was significantly increased 60 min after Caf ingestion compared with Pl; however, this treatment effect disappeared once exercise began. Caf ingestion had no significant effect on blood lactate, O2 consumption, or aerobic contribution at any time during the protocol. After the second Wingate test, plasma NH3concentration increased significantly from the previous WG test and was significantly higher in the Caf trial compared with Pl. These data demonstrate no ergogenic effect of caffeine on power output during repeated bouts of short-term, intense exercise. Furthermore, there was no indication of increased anaerobic metabolism after Caf ingestion with the exception of an increase in NH3 concentration.

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Effects of mild whole body hypothermia on self-paced exercise performance

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01134.2017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 479-485

Author(s):

Steven A. H. Ferguson ◽

Neil D. Eves ◽

Brian D. Roy ◽

Gary J. Hodges ◽

Stephen S. Cheung

Keyword(s):

Rectal Temperature ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Power Output ◽

High Intensity ◽

Mild Hypothermia ◽

Oxygenation Index ◽

Time Trial ◽

Oxygen Availability ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Whole Body

This study examined self-paced, high-intensity exercise during mild hypothermia and whether hyperoxia might offset any potential impairment. Twelve trained males each completed 15-km time trials in three environmental conditions: Neutral (23°C, [Formula: see text] 0.21), Cold (0°C, [Formula: see text] 0.21), and Cold+Hyper (0°C, [Formula: see text] 0.40). Cold and Cold+Hyper trials occurred after a 0.5°C drop in rectal temperature. Rectal temperature was higher ( P ≤ 0.016) throughout Neutral compared with Cold and Cold+Hyper; Cold had a higher ( P ≤ 0.035) rectal temperature than Cold+Hyper from 2.5 to 7.5 km, and hyperoxia did not alter thermal sensation or comfort. Oxyhemoglobin saturation decreased from ~98% to ~94% with Neutral and Cold, but was maintained at ~99% in Cold+Hyper ( P < 0.01). Cerebral tissue oxygenation index (TOI) was higher in Neutral than in Cold throughout the time trial (TT) ( P ≤ 0.001), whereas Cold+Hyper were unchanged ( P ≥ 0.567) from Neutral by 2.5 km. Muscle TOI was maintained in Cold+Hyper compared with Neutral and was higher ( P ≤ 0.046) than Cold throughout the entire TT. Power output during Cold (246 ± 41 W) was lower than Neutral (260 ± 38 W) at all 2.5-km intervals ( P ≤ 0.012) except at 12.5 km. Power output during Cold+Hyper (256 ± 42 W) was unchanged ( P ≥ 0.161) from Neutral throughout the TT, and was higher than Cold from 7.5 km onward. Average cadence was higher in Neutral (93 ± 8 rpm) than in either Cold or Cold+Hyper (Cold: 89 ± 7 and Cold+Hyper: 90 ± 8 rpm, P = 0.031). In conclusion, mild hypothermia reduced self-paced exercise performance; hyperoxia during mild hypothermia restored performance to thermoneutral levels, likely due to maintenance of oxygen availability rather than any thermogenic benefit. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined self-paced, high-intensity exercise with 0.5°C rectal temperature decreases in a 0°C ambient environment, along with whether hyperoxia could offset any potential impairment. During a 15-km time trial, power output was lower with hypothermia than with thermoneutral. However, with hypothermia, hyperoxia of [Formula: see text] = 0.40 restored power output despite there being no thermophysiological improvement. Hypothermia impairs exercise performance, whereas hyperoxia likely restored performance due to maintenance of oxygen availability rather than any thermogenic benefit.

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Cycling at Altitude: Lower Absolute Power Output as the Main Cause of Lower Gross Efficiency

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0221 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1117-1123

Author(s):

Dennis van Erck ◽

Eric J. Wenker ◽

Koen Levels ◽

Carl Foster ◽

Jos J. de Koning ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Exercise Intensity ◽

Power Output ◽

High Intensity ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Simulated Altitude ◽

Absolute Power ◽

Gross Efficiency ◽

Relative Exercise Intensity ◽

Negative Effect

Background: Although cyclists often compete at altitude, the effect of altitude on gross efficiency (GE) remains inconclusive. Purpose: To investigate the effect of altitude on GE at the same relative exercise intensity and at the same absolute power output (PO) and to determine the effect of altitude on the change in GE during high-intensity exercise. Methods: Twenty-one trained men performed 3 maximal incremental tests and 5 GE tests at sea level, 1500 m, and 2500 m of acute simulated altitude. The GE tests at altitude were performed once at the same relative exercise intensity and once at the same absolute PO as at sea level. Results: Altitude resulted in an unclear effect at 1500 m (−3.8%; ±3.3% [90% confidence limit]) and most likely negative effect at 2500 m (−6.3%; ±1.7%) on pre-GE, when determined at the same relative exercise intensity. When pre-GE was determined at the same absolute PO, unclear differences in GE were found (−1.5%; ±2.6% at 1500 m; −1.7%; ±2.4% at 2500 m). The effect of altitude on the decrease in GE during high-intensity exercise was unclear when determined at the same relative exercise intensity (−0.4%; ±2.8% at 1500 m; −0.7%; ±1.9% at 2500 m). When GE was determined at the same absolute PO, altitude resulted in a substantially smaller decrease in GE (2.8%; ±2.4% at 1500 m; 5.5%; ±2.9% at 2500 m). Conclusion: The lower GE found at altitude when exercise is performed at the same relative exercise intensity is mainly caused by the lower PO at which cyclists exercise.

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The effect of citrus flavonoid extract supplementation on anaerobic capacity in moderately trained athletes: a randomized controlled trial

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s12970-020-00399-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lieke E. van Iersel ◽

Yala R. Stevens ◽

Jose M. Conchillo ◽

Freddy J. Troost

Keyword(s):

Exercise Capacity ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Power Output ◽

High Intensity ◽

Peak Power ◽

Average Power ◽

Anaerobic Capacity ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Anaerobic Exercise ◽

Average Power Output

Abstract Background Nutritional supplementation is commonly used by athletes to improve their exercise performance. Previous studies demonstrated that citrus flavonoid extract (CFE) supplementation may be an effective strategy to improve exercise performance in male athletes. Yet, no conclusive research has been performed to investigate the effect of chronic CFE supplementation on high-intensity exercise performance under anaerobic conditions. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess whether CFE supplementation in daily dosages of 400 and 500 mg for a period of 4 and 8 weeks improves anaerobic exercise capacity. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel clinical study was conducted in 92 moderately trained healthy men and women. Subjects were randomized to receive 400 mg of CFE (n = 30), 500 mg of CFE (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31) daily, for 8 consecutive weeks. The Wingate anaerobic test was used to assess anaerobic exercise capacity and power output at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks. Results After 4 weeks supplementation, average power output significantly increased in the 400 mg group (Estimated difference [ED] = 38.2 W [18.0, 58.3]; p < 0.001; effect size [ES] = 0.27) and in the 500 mg group (ED = 21.2 W [0.91, 41.4]; p = 0.041; ES = 0.15) compared to placebo. The 5 s peak power output was also increased in the 400 mg group (ED = 53.6 [9.96, 97.2]; p = 0.017; ES = 0.25) after 4 weeks compared to placebo. After 8 weeks of supplementation, average power output was significantly improved in the group receiving 400 mg of CFE (ED = 31.6 [8.33, 54.8]; p = 0.008; ES = 0.22) compared to placebo. Conclusion These results demonstrate that CFE supplementation improved anaerobic capacity and peak power during high intensity exercise in moderately trained individuals. Further research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms that are affected by CFE supplementation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03044444). Registered 7 February 2017

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Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Glycogen Synthesis after High-Intensity Exercise

Yearbook of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1016/s0162-0908(08)70185-5 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 ◽

pp. 230-231

Author(s):

D.C. Nieman

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Glycogen Synthesis ◽

High Intensity Exercise

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