Training status affects between-protocols differences in the assessment of maximal aerobic velocity

Purpose Continuous incremental protocols (CP) may misestimate the maximum aerobic velocity (Vmax) due to increases in running speed faster than cardiorespiratory/metabolic adjustments. A higher aerobic capacity may mitigate this issue due to faster pulmonary oxygen uptake ($$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2) kinetics. Therefore, this study aimed to compare three different protocols to assess Vmax in athletes with higher or lower training status. Methods Sixteen well-trained runners were classified according to higher (HI) or lower (LO) $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max$$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics was calculated across four 5-min running bouts at 10 km·h−1. Two CPs [1 km·h−1 per min (CP1) and 1 km·h−1 every 2-min (CP2)] were performed to determine Vmax$$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max, lactate-threshold and submaximal $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity relationship. Results were compared to the discontinuous incremental protocol (DP). Results Vmax, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ CO2 and VE were higher [(P < 0.05,(ES:0.22/2.59)] in HI than in LO. $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics was faster [P < 0.05,(ES:-2.74/ − 1.76)] in HI than in LO. $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity slope was lower in HI than in LO [(P < 0.05,(ES:-1.63/ − 0.18)]. Vmax and $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2/velocity slope were CP1 > CP2 = DP for HI and CP1 > CP2 > DP for LO. A lower [P < 0.05,(ES:0.53/0.75)] Vmax-difference for both CP1 and CP2 vs DP was found in HI than in LO. Vmax-differences in CP1 vs DP showed a large inverse correlation with Vmax, $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2max and lactate-threshold and a very large correlation with $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2-kinetics. Conclusions Higher aerobic training status witnessed by faster $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2 kinetics led to lower between-protocol Vmax differences, particularly between CP2 vs DP. Faster kinetics may minimize the mismatch issues between metabolic and mechanical power that may occur in CP. This should be considered for exercise prescription at different percentages of Vmax.

Effect of priming exercise and body position on pulmonary oxygen uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during cycle exercise

Here we show that oxygen uptake (V̇o2) kinetics are slower in the supine compared with upright body position, an effect that is associated with an increased amplitude of skeletal muscle deoxygenation in the supine position. After priming in the supine position, the amplitude of muscle deoxygenation remained markedly elevated above that observed during upright exercise. Hence, the priming effect cannot be solely attributed to enhanced O2 delivery, and enhancements to intracellular O2 utilization must also be contributory.

Impact of supine exercise on muscle deoxygenation kinetics heterogeneity: mechanistic insights into slow pulmonary oxygen uptake dynamics

We show that supine exercise causes a greater degree of muscle deoxygenation in both deep and superficial muscle and increases the spatial heterogeneity of muscle deoxygenation. Therefore, this study suggests that any O2 delivery gradient toward deep versus superficial muscle is insufficient to mitigate impairments in oxidative function in response to reduced whole muscle O2 delivery. More heterogeneous muscle deoxygenation is associated with slower V̇o2 kinetics.

Long-lasting exercise involvement protects against decline in V̇O2max and V̇O2 kinetics in moderately active women

We studied the effects of age on different physiological parameters, including those derived from (i) maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), (ii) moderate-intensity step transitions, and (iii) tensiomyography (TMG)-derived variables in moderately active women. Twenty-eight women (age, 19 to 53 years), completed 3 laboratory visits, including baseline data collection, TMG assessment, maximal oxygen uptake test via CPET, and a step-transition test from 20 W to a moderate-intensity cycling power output (PO), corresponding to oxygen uptake at 90% gas exchange threshold. During the step transitions, breath-by-breath pulmonary oxygen uptake, near infrared spectroscopy derived muscle deoxygenation (ΔHHb), and beat-by-beat cardiovascular response were continuously monitored. There were no differences observed between the young and middle-aged women in their maximal oxygen uptake and peak PO, while the maximal heart rate (HR) was 12 bpm lower in middle-aged compared with young (p = 0.016) women. Also, no differences were observed between the age groups in τ pulmonary oxygen uptake, ΔHHb, and τHR during on-transients. The first regression model showed that age did not attenuate the maximal CPET capacity in the studied population (p = 0.638), while in the second model a faster τ pulmonary oxygen uptake, combined with shorter TMG-derived contraction time (Tc) of the vastus lateralis (VL), were associated with a higher maximal oxygen uptake (∼30% of explained variance, p = 0.039). In conclusion, long lasting exercise involvement protects against a maximal oxygen uptake and τpulmonary oxygen uptake deterioration in moderately active women. Novelty: Faster τ pulmonary oxygen uptake and shorter Tc of the VL explain 33% of the variance in superior maximal oxygen uptake attainment. No differences between age groups were found in τ pulmonary oxygen uptake, τΔHHb, and τHR during on-transients.