Exercise intensity dependent relevance of protective textile properties for human thermo-physiology

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
pp. 1425-1434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Fontana ◽  
Fabio Saiani ◽  
Marc Grütter ◽  
Jean-Philippe Croset ◽  
André Capt ◽  
...  

During firefighting, thermoregulation is challenged due to a combination of harsh environmental conditions, high metabolic rates and personal protective clothing (PPC). Consequently, investigations of thermoregulation in firefighters should not only consider climate and exercise intensity, but technical properties of textiles too. Therefore, laboratory textile performance simulations may provide additional insights into textile-dependent thermoregulatory responses to exercise. In order to investigate the thermo-physiological relevance of textile properties and to test how different garments affect thermoregulation at different exercise intensities, we analyzed the results of a standard laboratory test and human subject trials by relating functional properties of textiles to thermo-physiological responses. Ten professional, healthy, male firefighters (age: 43 ± 6 y, weight: 84.3 ± 10.3kg, height: 1.79 ± 0.05m) performed low and moderate intensity exercise wearing garments previously evaluated with a sweating torso system to characterize thermal and evaporative properties. Functional properties of PPC and the control garment differed markedly. Consequently, skin temperature was higher using PPC at both exercise intensities (low: 36.27 ± 0.32 versus 36.75 ± 0.15℃, P < 0.05; moderate: 36.53 ± 0.34 versus 37.18 ± 0.23℃, P < 0.001), while core body temperature was only higher for PPC at moderate (37.54 ± 0.24 versus 37.83 ± 0.27℃, P < 0.05), but not low-intensity exercise (37.26 ± 0.21 versus 37.21 ± 0.19, P = 0.685). Differences in thermal and evaporative properties between textiles are reflected in thermo-physiological responses during human subject trials. However, an appropriate exercise intensity has to be chosen in order to challenge textile performance during exercise tests.

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Wylie ◽  
James Kelly ◽  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
Jamie R. Blackwell ◽  
Philip F. Skiba ◽  
...  

Dietary supplementation with beetroot juice (BR), containing approximately 5–8 mmol inorganic nitrate (NO3−), increases plasma nitrite concentration ([NO2−]), reduces blood pressure, and may positively influence the physiological responses to exercise. However, the dose-response relationship between the volume of BR ingested and the physiological effects invoked has not been investigated. In a balanced crossover design, 10 healthy men ingested 70, 140, or 280 ml concentrated BR (containing 4.2, 8.4, and 16.8 mmol NO3−, respectively) or no supplement to establish the effects of BR on resting plasma [NO3−] and [NO2−] over 24 h. Subsequently, on six separate occasions, 10 subjects completed moderate-intensity and severe-intensity cycle exercise tests, 2.5 h postingestion of 70, 140, and 280 ml BR or NO3−-depleted BR as placebo (PL). Following acute BR ingestion, plasma [NO2−] increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the peak changes occurring at approximately 2–3 h. Compared with PL, 70 ml BR did not alter the physiological responses to exercise. However, 140 and 280 ml BR reduced the steady-state oxygen (O2) uptake during moderate-intensity exercise by 1.7% ( P = 0.06) and 3.0% ( P < 0.05), whereas time-to-task failure was extended by 14% and 12% (both P < 0.05), respectively, compared with PL. The results indicate that whereas plasma [NO2−] and the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise are altered dose dependently with NO3−-rich BR, there is no additional improvement in exercise tolerance after ingesting BR containing 16.8 compared with 8.4 mmol NO3−. These findings have important implications for the use of BR to enhance cardiovascular health and exercise performance in young adults.


2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (6) ◽  
pp. H1520-H1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead T. J. McDonagh ◽  
Anni Vanhatalo ◽  
Jonathan Fulford ◽  
Lee J. Wylie ◽  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
...  

We tested the hypothesis that dietary nitrate (NO3−)-rich beetroot juice (BR) supplementation could partially offset deteriorations in O2transport and utilization and exercise tolerance after blood donation. Twenty-two healthy volunteers performed moderate-intensity and ramp incremental cycle exercise tests prior to and following withdrawal of ∼450 ml of whole blood. Before donation, all subjects consumed seven 70-ml shots of NO3−-depleted BR [placebo (PL)] in the 48 h preceding the exercise tests. During the 48 h after blood donation, subjects consumed seven shots of BR (each containing 6.2 mmol of NO3−, n = 11) or PL ( n = 11) before repeating the exercise tests. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were reduced by ∼8–9% following blood donation ( P < 0.05), with no difference between the BR and PL groups. Steady-state O2uptake during moderate-intensity exercise was ∼4% lower after than before donation in the BR group ( P < 0.05) but was unchanged in the PL group. The ramp test peak power decreased from predonation (341 ± 70 and 331 ± 68 W in PL and BR, respectively) to postdonation (324 ± 69 and 322 ± 66 W in PL and BR, respectively) in both groups ( P < 0.05). However, the decrement in performance was significantly less in the BR than PL group (2.7% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.05). NO3−supplementation reduced the O2cost of moderate-intensity exercise and attenuated the decline in ramp incremental exercise performance following blood donation. These results have implications for improving functional capacity following blood loss.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne N. Boyd ◽  
Stephanie M. Lannan ◽  
Micah N. Zuhl ◽  
Ricardo Mora-Rodriguez ◽  
Rachael K. Nelson

While hot yoga has gained enormous popularity in recent years, owing in part to increased environmental challenge associated with exercise in the heat, it is not clear whether hot yoga is more vigorous than thermo-neutral yoga. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine objective and subjective measures of exercise intensity during constant intensity yoga in a hot and thermo-neutral environment. Using a randomized, crossover design, 14 participants completed 2 identical ∼20-min yoga sessions in a hot (35.3 ± 0.8 °C; humidity: 20.5% ± 1.4%) and thermo-neutral (22.1 ± 0.2 °C; humidity: 27.8% ± 1.6%) environment. Oxygen consumption and heart rate (HR) were recorded as objective measures (percentage of maximal oxygen consumption and percentage of maximal HR (%HRmax)) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded as a subjective measure of exercise intensity. There was no difference in exercise intensity based on percentage of maximal oxygen consumption during hot versus thermo-neutral yoga (30.9% ± 2.3% vs. 30.5% ± 1.8%, p = 0.68). However, exercise intensity was significantly higher during hot versus thermo-neutral yoga based on %HRmax (67.0% ± 2.3% vs. 60.8% ± 1.9%, p = 0.01) and RPE (12 ± 1 vs. 11 ± 1, p = 0.04). According to established exercise intensities, hot yoga was classified as light-intensity exercise based on percentage of maximal oxygen consumption but moderate-intensity exercise based on %HRmax and RPE while thermo-neutral yoga was classified as light-intensity exercise based on percentage of maximal oxygen uptake, %HRmax, and RPE. Despite the added hemodynamic stress and perception that yoga is more strenuous in a hot environment, we observed similar oxygen consumption during hot versus thermo-neutral yoga, classifying both exercise modalities as light-intensity exercise.


1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (5) ◽  
pp. E828-E835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey F. Horowitz ◽  
Ricardo Mora-Rodriguez ◽  
Lauri O. Byerley ◽  
Edward F. Coyle

This study determined the effect of carbohydrate ingestion during exercise on the lipolytic rate, glucose disappearance from plasma (Rd Glc), and fat oxidation. Six moderately trained men cycled for 2 h on four separate occasions. During two trials, they were fed a high-glycemic carbohydrate meal during exercise at 30 min (0.8 g/kg), 60 min (0.4 g/kg), and 90 min (0.4 g/kg); once during low-intensity exercise [25% peak oxygen consumption (V˙o 2 peak)] and once during moderate-intensity exercise (68%V˙o 2 peak). During two additional trials, the subjects remained fasted (12–14 h) throughout exercise at each intensity. After 55 min of low-intensity exercise in fed subjects, hyperglycemia (30% increase) and a threefold elevation in plasma insulin concentration ( P < 0.05) were associated with a 22% suppression of lipolysis compared with when subjects were fasted (5.2 ± 0.5 vs. 6.7 ± 1.2 μmol ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, P < 0.05), but fat oxidation was not different from fasted levels at this time. Fat oxidation when subjects were fed carbohydrate was not reduced below fasting levels until 80–90 min of exercise, and lipolysis was in excess of fat oxidation at this time. The reduction in fat oxidation corresponded in time with the increase in Rd Glc. During moderate-intensity exercise, the very small elevation in plasma insulin concentration (∼3 μU/ml; P < 0.05) during the second hour of exercise when subjects were fed vs. when they were fasted slightly attenuated lipolysis ( P < 0.05) but did not increase Rd Glc or suppress fat oxidation. These findings indicate that despite a suppression of lipolysis after carbohydrate ingestion during exercise, the lipolytic rate remained in excess and thus did not limit fat oxidation. Under these conditions, a reduction in fat oxidation was associated in time with an increase in glucose uptake.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen McGuire ◽  
Mark ET Willems

AbstractRegular moderate-intensity exercise provides health benefits. The aim of this study was to examine whether the selected exercise intensity and physiological responses during exergaming in a single and multiplayer mode in the same physical space were game-dependent. Ten males (mean ±SD, age: 23 ±5 years, body mass: 84.2 ±15.6 kg, body height: 180 ±7 cm, body mass index: 26.0 ±4.0 kg·m−2) played the games Kinect football, boxing and track & field (3 × ~10 min, ~ 2 min rest periods) in similar time sequence in two sessions. Physiological responses were measured with the portable Cosmed K4b2 pulmonary gas exchange system. Single play demands were used to match with a competitive opponent in a multiplay mode. A within-subjects crossover design was used with one-way ANOVA and a post-hoc t-test for analysis (p<0.05). Minute ventilation, oxygen uptake and the heart rate were at least 18% higher during a multiplayer mode for Kinect football and boxing but not for track & field. Energy expenditure was 21% higher during multiplay football. Single play track & field had higher metabolic equivalent than single play football (5.7 ±1.6, range: 3.2-8.6 vs 4.1 ±1.0, range: 3.0-6.1, p<0.05). Exergaming in a multiplayer mode can provide higher physiological demands but the effects are game-dependent. It seems that exergaming with low intensity in a multiplayer mode may provide a greater physical challenge for participants than in a single play mode but may not consistently provide sufficient intensity to acquire health benefits when played regularly as part of a programme to promote and maintain health in young adults.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (11) ◽  
pp. H1443-H1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bond ◽  
P. E. Gates ◽  
S. R. Jackman ◽  
L. M. Corless ◽  
C. A. Williams ◽  
...  

Acute exercise transiently improves endothelial function and protects the vasculature from the deleterious effects of a high-fat meal (HFM). We sought to identify whether this response is dependent on exercise intensity in adolescents. Twenty adolescents (10 male, 14.3 ± 0.3 yr) completed three 1-day trials: 1) rest (CON); 2) 8 × 1 min cycling at 90% peak power with 75 s recovery [high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE)]; and 3) cycling at 90% of the gas exchange threshold [moderate-intensity exercise (MIE)] 1 h before consuming a HFM (1.50 g/kg fat). Macrovascular and microvascular endothelial function was assessed before and immediately after exercise and 3 h after the HFM by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and laser Doppler imaging [peak reactive hyperemia (PRH)]. FMD and PRH increased 1 h after HIIE [ P < 0.001, effect size (ES) = 1.20 and P = 0.048, ES = 0.56] but were unchanged after MIE. FMD and PRH were attenuated 3 h after the HFM in CON ( P < 0.001, ES = 1.78 and P = 0.02, ES = 0.59). FMD remained greater 3 h after the HFM in HIIE compared with MIE ( P < 0.001, ES = 1.47) and CON ( P < 0.001, ES = 2.54), and in MIE compared with CON ( P < 0.001, ES = 1.40). Compared with CON, PRH was greater 3 h after the HFM in HIIE ( P = 0.02, ES = 0.71) and MIE ( P = 0.02, ES = 0.84), with no differences between HIIE and MIE ( P = 0.72, ES = 0.16). Plasma triacylglycerol concentration and total antioxidant status concentration were not different between trials. We conclude that exercise intensity plays an important role in protecting the vasculature from the deleterious effects of a HFM. Performing HIIE may provide superior vascular benefits than MIE in adolescent groups.


Author(s):  
Amanda J. Calder ◽  
Elaine A. Hargreaves ◽  
Ken Hodge

The extent to which people expect to feel pleasure during exercise is proposed to influence an individual’s decision to be active. In order to identify the factors that shape this affective forecast for exercise, this study explored what people think about when creating their affective forecast for exercise. Thirty-one inactive participants provided an affective forecast for a moderate intensity exercise session using the global affective forecast questionnaire. Immediately after, they were asked a series of questions to verbally explain what they were thinking about in order to generate their forecast. Thematic analysis identified four themes relating to the exercise intensity, the exercise outcomes, the exercise environment, and the enjoyment of exercise that influenced affective forecast creation. Exercise practitioners should design strategies to manipulate these factors, and structure exercise environments to support a positive affective forecast and better motivate exercise participation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (6) ◽  
pp. H1530-H1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor M. Niemeijer ◽  
Ruud F. Spee ◽  
Thijs Schoots ◽  
Pieter F. F. Wijn ◽  
Hareld M. C. Kemps

The extent and speed of transient skeletal muscle deoxygenation during exercise onset in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are related to impairments of local O2 delivery and utilization. This study examined the physiological background of submaximal exercise performance in 19 moderately impaired patients with CHF (Weber class A, B, and C) compared with 19 matched healthy control (HC) subjects by measuring skeletal muscle oxygenation (SmO2) changes during cycling exercise. All subjects performed two subsequent moderate-intensity 6-min exercise tests (bouts 1 and 2) with measurements of pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics and SmO2 using near-infrared spatially resolved spectroscopy at the vastus lateralis for determination of absolute oxygenation values, amplitudes, kinetics (mean response time for onset), and deoxygenation overshoot characteristics. In CHF, deoxygenation kinetics were slower compared with HC (21.3 ± 5.3 s vs. 16.7 ± 4.4 s, P < 0.05, respectively). After priming exercise (i.e., during bout 2), deoxygenation kinetics were accelerated in CHF to values no longer different from HC (16.9 ± 4.6 s vs. 15.4 ± 4.2 s, P = 0.35). However, priming did not speed deoxygenation kinetics in CHF subjects with a deoxygenation overshoot, whereas it did reduce the incidence of the overshoot in this specific group ( P < 0.05). These results provide evidence for heterogeneity with respect to limitations of O2 delivery and utilization during moderate-intensity exercise in patients with CHF, with slowed deoxygenation kinetics indicating a predominant O2 utilization impairment and the presence of a deoxygenation overshoot, with a reduction after priming in a subgroup, indicating an initial O2 delivery to utilization mismatch.


2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 2143-2149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Mazzeo ◽  
Danielle Donovan ◽  
Monika Fleshner ◽  
Gail E. Butterfield ◽  
Stacy Zamudio ◽  
...  

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), an important cytokine involved in a number of biological processes, is consistently elevated during periods of stress. The mechanisms responsible for the induction of IL-6 under these conditions remain uncertain. This study examined the effect of α-adrenergic blockade on the IL-6 response to acute and chronic high-altitude exposure in women both at rest and during exercise. Sixteen healthy, eumenorrheic women (aged 23.2 ± 1.4 yr) participated in the study. Subjects received either α-adrenergic blockade (prazosin, 3 mg/day) or a placebo in a double-blinded, randomized fashion. Subjects participated in submaximal exercise tests at sea level and on days 1 and 12 at altitude (4,300 m). Resting plasma and 24-h urine samples were collected throughout the duration of the study. At sea level, no differences were found at rest for plasma IL-6 between groups (1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.2 ± 0.3 pg/ml for placebo and blocked groups, respectively). On acute ascent to altitude, IL-6 levels increased significantly in both groups compared with sea-level values (57 and 84% for placebo and blocked groups, respectively). After 12 days of acclimatization, IL-6 levels remained elevated for placebo subjects; however, they returned to sea-level values in the blocked group. α-Adrenergic blockade significantly lowered the IL-6 response to exercise both at sea level (46%) and at altitude (42%) compared with placebo. A significant correlation ( P = 0.004) between resting IL-6 and urinary norepinephrine excretion rates was found over the course of time while at altitude. In conclusion, the results indicate a role for α-adrenergic regulation of the IL-6 response to the stress of both short-term moderate-intensity exercise and hypoxia.


2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 2283-2293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond J. Geor ◽  
Laura Jill McCutcheon ◽  
Gayle L. Ecker ◽  
Michael I. Lindinger

The effect of humid heat acclimation on thermoregulatory responses to humid and dry exercise-heat stress was studied in six exercise-trained Thoroughbred horses. Horses were heat acclimated by performing moderate-intensity exercise for 21 days in heat and humidity (HH) [34.2–35.7°C; 84–86% relative humidity (RH); wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index ∼32°C]. Horses completed exercise tests at 50% of peak O2 uptake until a pulmonary arterial temperature (Tpa) of 41.5°C was attained in cool dry (CD) (20–21.5°C; 45–50% RH; WBGT ∼16°C), hot dry (HD 0) [32–34°C room temperature (RT); 45–55% RH; WBGT ∼25°C], and HH conditions (HH 0), and during the second hour of HH on days 3, 7, 14, and 21, and in HD on the 18th day (HD 18) of heat acclimation. The ratios of required evaporative capacity to maximal evaporative capacity of the environment (Ereq/Emax) for CD, HD, and HH were ∼1.2, 1.6, and 2.5, respectively. Preexercise Tpa and rectal temperature were ∼0.5°C lower ( P < 0.05) on days 7, 14, and 21 compared with day 0. With exercise in HH, there was no effect of heat acclimation on the rate of rise in Tpa (and therefore exercise duration) nor the rate of heat storage. In contrast, exercise duration was longer, rate of rise in Tpa was significantly slower, and rate of heat storage was decreased on HD 18 compared with HD 0. It was concluded that, during uncompensable heat stress in horses, heat acclimation provided modest heat strain advantages when Ereq/Emax was ∼1.6, but at higher Ereq/Emax no advantages were observed.


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