Determination of Critical Power by Pulmonary Gas Exchange

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Hill ◽  
Jimmy C. Smith

Although the physiological underpinnings of critical power (CP) have yet to be fully elucidated, it has been proposed that CP demarcates the heavy and severe exercise intensity domains and that each domain is associated with a different pattern of metabolic response and mechanism of fatigue. Severe intensity has been defined such that, during exercise at intensities above CP, the slow component of the [Formula: see text] response will drive [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] at the point of fatigue. In this Study, two parameters were derived for each of 8 participants: (a) CP, the asymptote of the relationship between power and time to exhaustion, and (b) a related parameter, CP′, the asymptote of the relationship between power and time to [Formula: see text] CP′ theoretically represents the threshold intensity above which [Formula: see text] will be elicited during exercise of sufficient duration. Participants performed two exhaustive tests at CP. There were three important findings: First, there was a practice effect on time to exhaustion at CP, and times increased 27% in the second test. Second, both CP and CP′ could be obtained with good precision. Third, and most important, CP was equal to CP′, thereby providing a physiological description of the mathematically derived CP parameter. It was concluded that [Formula: see text] cannot be elicited at intensities equal to or less than CP. Key words: cycle ergometry, endurance, exercise

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. e9-e14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.D. de Lucas ◽  
K.M. de Souza ◽  
V.P. Costa ◽  
T. Grossl ◽  
L.G.A. Guglielmo

Author(s):  
Ana Catarina Sousa ◽  
Gregoire P. Millet ◽  
João Viana ◽  
Jaime Milheiro ◽  
Vítor Reis

AbstractWe investigated the effects of hypoxia on matched-severe intensity exercise and on the parameters of the power-duration relationship. Fifteen trained subjects performed in both normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (FiO2=0.13, ~3000 m) a maximal incremental test, a 3 min all-out test (3AOT) and a transition from rest to an exercise performed to exhaustion (Tlim) at the same relative intensity (80%∆). Respiratory and pulmonary gas-exchange variables were continuously measured (K5, Cosmed, Italy). Tlim test’s V̇O2 kinetics was calculated using a two-component exponential model. V̇O2max (44.1±5.1 vs. 58.7±6.4 ml.kg-1.min-1, p<0.001) was decreased in hypoxia. In Tlim, time-to-exhaustion sustained was similar (454±130 vs. 484±169 s) despite that V̇O2 kinetics was slower (τ1: 31.1±5.8 vs. 21.6±4.7 s, p<0.001) and the amplitude of the V̇O2 slow component lower (12.4±5.4 vs. 20.2±5.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, p<0.05) in hypoxia. CP was reduced (225±35 vs. 270±49 W, p<0.001) but W’ was unchanged (11.3±2.9 vs. 11.4±2.7 kJ) in hypoxia. The changes in CP/V̇O2max were positively correlated with changes in W’ (r = 0.58, p<0.05). The lower oxygen availability had an impact on aerobic related physiological parameters, but exercise tolerance is similar between hypoxia and normoxia when the relative intensity is matched despite a slower V̇O2 kinetics in hypoxia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 902-910
Author(s):  
Alessandro L. Colosio ◽  
Massimo Teso ◽  
Silvia Pogliaghi

We tested the hypothesis that static stretching, an acute, nonmetabolic fatiguing intervention, reduces exercise tolerance by increasing muscle activation and affecting muscle bioenergetics during cycling in the “severe” intensity domain. Ten active men (age, 24 ± 2 years; body mass, 74 ± 11 kg; height, 176 ± 8 cm) participated in identical constant-load cycling tests of equal intensity, of which 2 tests were carried out under control conditions and 2 were done after stretching. This resulted in a 5% reduction of maximal isokinetic sprinting power output. We measured (i) oxygen consumption, (ii) electromyography, (iii) deoxyhemoglobin, (iv) blood lactate concentration; (v) time to exhaustion, and (vi) perception of effort. Finally, oxygen consumption and deoxyhemoglobin kinetics were determined. Force reduction following stretching was accompanied by augmented muscle excitation at a given workload (p = 0.025) and a significant reduction in time to exhaustion (p = 0.002). The time to peak oxygen consumption was reduced by stretching (p = 0.034), suggesting an influence of the increased muscle excitation on the oxygen consumption kinetics. Moreover, stretching was associated with a mismatch between O2 delivery and utilization during the isokinetic exercise, increased perception of effort, and blood lactate concentration; these observations are all consistent with an increased contribution of the glycolytic energy system to sustain the same absolute intensity. These results suggest a link between exercise intolerance and the decreased ability to produce force. Novelty We provided the first characterization of the effects of prolonged stretching on the metabolic response during severe cycling. Stretching reduced maximal force and augmented muscle activation, which in turn increased the metabolic response to sustain exercise.


2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Nesi ◽  
Laurent Bosquet ◽  
Serge Berthoin ◽  
Jeanne Dekerle ◽  
Patrick Pelayo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 15% increase in preferred pedal rate (PPR) on both time to exhaustion and pulmonary O2 uptake [Formula: see text] response during heavy exercise. Seven competitive cyclists underwent two constant-power tests (CPT) at a power output that theoretically requires 50% of the difference in [Formula: see text] between the second ventilatory threshold and [Formula: see text]max (PΔ50). Each cyclist cycled a CPT at PPR (CPTPPR) and a CPT at +15% of PPR (CPT+15%) in a randomized order. The average PPR value was 94 ± 4 rpm, and time to exhaustion was significantly longer in CPTPPR compared with CPT+15% (465 ± 139 vs. 303 ± 42 s, respectively; p = 0.01). A significant decrease in [Formula: see text] values in the first minutes of exercise and a significant increase in [Formula: see text] slow component was reported in CPT+15% compared with CPTPPR. These data indicate that the increase of 15% PPR was associated with a decrease in exercise tolerance and a specific [Formula: see text] response, presumably due to an increase of negative muscular work, internal work, and an altering of motor unit recruitment patterns. Key words: aerobic demand, cadence, cyclists, exercise tolerance, pedaling frequency


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Draper ◽  
Dan M. Wood ◽  
Jo Corbett ◽  
David V.B. James ◽  
Christopher R. Potter

We tested the hypothesis that prior heavy-intensity exercise reduces the difference between asymptotic oxygen uptake (VO2) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) during exhaustive severe-intensity running lasting ≍2 minutes. Ten trained runners each performed 2 ramp tests to determine peak VO2 (VO2peak) and speed at venti-latory threshold. They performed exhaustive square-wave runs lasting ≍2 minutes, preceded by either 6 minutes of moderate-intensity running and 6 minutes rest (SEVMOD) or 6 minutes of heavy-intensity running and 6 minutes rest (SEVHEAVY). Two transitions were completed in each condition. VO2 was determined breath by breath and averaged across the 2 repeats of each test; for the square-wave test, the averaged VO2 response was then modeled using a monoexponential function. The amplitude of the VO2 response to severe-intensity running was not different in the 2 conditions (SEVMOD vs SEVHEAVY; 3925 ± 442 vs 3997 ± 430 mL/min, P = .237), nor was the speed of the response (τ; 9.2 ± 2.1 vs 10.0 ± 2.1 seconds, P = .177). VO2peak from the square-wave tests was below that achieved in the ramp tests (91.0% ± 3.2% and 92.0% ± 3.9% VO2peak, P < .001). There was no difference in time to exhaustion between conditions (110.2 ± 9.7 vs 111.0 ± 15.2 seconds, P = .813). The results show that the primary VO2 response is unaffected by prior heavy exercise in running performed at intensities at which exhaustion will occur before a slow component emerges.


2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Pouilly ◽  
Michel Chatagnon ◽  
Vincent Thomas ◽  
Thierry Busso

This study aimed to estimate the power/time relationship from a single ramp test (RT) assuming critical power (Pc) from ventilatory threshold (VT) and energy reserve (W') from total work during RT. These estimates from single RT were compared to those from a series of 4 constant power exercises (CPT) and from a series of 4 RT. Only W' from CPT was higher than from the series of RT and from single RT using VT (p <  0.05). Key words: exercise testing, critical power, anaerobic work capacity, cycle ergometry


2010 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 1394-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Bailey ◽  
Paul G. Winyard ◽  
Anni Vanhatalo ◽  
Jamie R. Blackwell ◽  
Fred J. DiMenna ◽  
...  

It has recently been reported that dietary nitrate (NO3−) supplementation, which increases plasma nitrite (NO2−) concentration, a biomarker of nitric oxide (NO) availability, improves exercise efficiency and exercise tolerance in healthy humans. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation with l-arginine, the substrate for NO synthase (NOS), would elicit similar responses. In a double-blind, crossover study, nine healthy men (aged 19–38 yr) consumed 500 ml of a beverage containing 6 g of l-arginine (Arg) or a placebo beverage (PL) and completed a series of “step” moderate- and severe-intensity exercise bouts 1 h after ingestion of the beverage. Plasma NO2− concentration was significantly greater in the Arg than the PL group (331 ± 198 vs. 159 ± 102 nM, P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced (123 ± 3 vs. 131 ± 5 mmHg, P < 0.01). The steady-state O2 uptake (V̇o2) during moderate-intensity exercise was reduced by 7% in the Arg group (1.48 ± 0.12 vs. 1.59 ± 0.14 l/min, P < 0.05). During severe-intensity exercise, the V̇o2 slow component amplitude was reduced (0.58 ± 0.23 and 0.76 ± 0.29 l/min in Arg and PL, respectively, P < 0.05) and the time to exhaustion was extended (707 ± 232 and 562 ± 145 s in Arg and PL, respectively, P < 0.05) following consumption of Arg. In conclusion, similar to the effects of increased dietary NO3− intake, elevating NO bioavailability through dietary l-Arg supplementation reduced the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise and blunted the V̇o2 slow component and extended the time to exhaustion during severe-intensity exercise.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Hill ◽  
Jakob L. Vingren ◽  
Samantha D. Burdette

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and delayed effects of plasma donation and blood donation on responses in exhaustive, severe-intensity exercise. Nineteen young men and women performed exhaustive cycle ergometer tests at ∼3.3 W·kg−1 before and then 2 h, 2 days, and 7 days after withdrawal of either 8–10 mL·kg−1 (∼700 mL) of plasma (n = 10) or 1 unit (450 mL) of whole blood (n = 9). Time to exhaustion was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after the removal of plasma (−11% after 2 h) and after the removal of blood (−19% after 2 h and −7% after 2 days). Maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) was not affected by plasma donation, but [Formula: see text] was reduced following blood withdrawal (−15% after 2 h, −10% after 2 days, and −7% after 7 days) presumably because of effects on blood volume, total haemoglobin content, and haemoglobin concentration. The kinetics of the oygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) response was not affected by either intervention. Two measures of anaerobic capacity, postexercise blood lactate concentration, and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit were reduced (−14%, −15%, respectively) 2 h after plasma donation, but neither was affected by blood donation. Removal of plasma and removal of blood have different effects on blood constituency, on the [Formula: see text] response, and on performance. Plasma donation appears to affect exercise performance because of reduced anaerobic capacity, whereas blood donation affects performance because of lowered [Formula: see text].


2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (3) ◽  
pp. R453-R460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Rasica ◽  
Simone Porcelli ◽  
Mauro Marzorati ◽  
Desy Salvadego ◽  
Alessandra Vezzoli ◽  
...  

Previous studies showed a higher O2 cost of exercise, and therefore, a reduced exercise tolerance in patients with obesity during constant work rate (CWR) exercise compared with healthy subjects. Among the ergogenic effects of dietary nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation in sedentary healthy subjects, a reduced O2 cost and enhanced exercise tolerance have often been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of beetroot juice (BR) supplementation, rich in [Formula: see text], on physiological variables associated with exercise tolerance in adolescents with obesity. In a double-blind, randomized crossover study, 10 adolescents with obesity (8 girls, 2 boys; age = 16 ± 1 yr; body mass index = 35.2 ± 5.0 kg/m2) were tested after 6 days of supplementation with BR (5 mmol [Formula: see text] per day) or placebo (PLA). Following each supplementation period, patients carried out two repetitions of 6-min moderate-intensity CWR exercise and one severe-intensity CWR exercise until exhaustion. Plasma [Formula: see text] concentration was significantly higher in BR versus PLA (108 ± 37 vs. 15 ± 5 μM, P < 0.0001). The O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise was not different in BR versus PLA (13.3 ± 1.7 vs. 12.9 ± 1.1 ml·min−1·W−1, P = 0.517). During severe-intensity exercise, signs of a reduced amplitude of the O2 uptake slow component were observed in BR, in association with a significantly longer time to exhaustion (561 ± 198 s in BR vs. 457 ± 101 s in PLA, P = 0.0143). In obese adolescents, short-term dietary [Formula: see text] supplementation is effective in improving exercise tolerance during severe-intensity exercise. This may prove to be useful in counteracting early fatigue and reduced physical activity in this at-risk population.


Author(s):  
Hakan Karabiyik ◽  
Mustafa Can Eser ◽  
Ozkan Guler ◽  
Burak Caglar Yasli ◽  
Goktug Ertetik ◽  
...  

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a concept that has been shown to enhance aerobic-anaerobic training adaptations and induce larger effects in hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of SIT with 15 or 30 s in hypoxia on aerobic, anaerobic performance and critical power (CP). A total of 32 male team players were divided into four groups: SIT with 15 s at FiO2: 0.209 (15 N); FiO2: 0.135 (15 H); SIT with 30 s at FiO2: 0.209 (30 N); and FiO2: 0.135 (30 H). VO2max did not significantly increase, however time-to-exhaustion (TTE) was found to be significantly longer in the post test compared to pre test (p = 0.001) with no difference between groups (p = 0.86). Mean power (MPw.kg) after repeated wingate tests was significantly higher compared to pre training in all groups (p = 0.001) with no difference between groups (p = 0.66). Similarly, CP was increased in all groups with 4 weeks of SIT (p = 0.001) with no difference between groups (p = 0.82). This study showed that 4 weeks of SIT with 15 and 30 s sprint bouts in normoxia or hypoxia did not increased VO2max in trained athletes. However, anerobic performance and CP can be increased with 4 weeks of SIT both in normoxia or hypoxia with 15 or 30 s of sprint durations.


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