Five Weeks of Sprint Interval Training Improve Muscle Glycolytic Content and Activity But Not Time to Task Failure in Severe Intensity Exercise.

PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of a 5 weeks sprint interval training (SIT) intervention on time to task failure (TTF) during severe intensity constant work rate (CWR) exercise, as well as in glycolytic enzymatic content and activity, and glycogen content. METHODS: Fourteen active males were randomized into either a SIT group (n = 8) composed of 15 SIT-sessions over 5 weeks, or a control group (n = 6). At pre-training period, participants performed: i) ramp incremental test to measure the cardiorespiratory function; ii) CWR cycling TTF at 150% of the power output (PO) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP-PO) with muscle biopsies at rest and immediately following task failure. After 5 weeks, the same evaluations were repeated (i.e., exercise intensities matched to current training status), and an additional cycling CWR matched to pre-training 150% RCP-PO was performed only for TTF evaluation. The content and enzymatic activity of glycogen phosphorylase (GPhos), hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as the glycogen content, were analyzed. Content of monocarboxylate transporter isoform 4 (MCT4) and muscle buffering capacity were also measured. RESULTS: Despite improvements in total work performed at CWR post-training, no differences were observed for TTF. The GPhos, HK, PFK, and LDH content and activity, and glycogen content also improved post-training only in the SIT group. Further, the MCT4 concentrations and muscle buffering capacity was also improved only for SIT group. However, no difference in glycogen depletion was observed between groups and time. CONCLUSIONS: Five weeks of SIT improved the glycolytic pathway parameters and total work performed, however, glycogen depletion was not altered during CWR severe intensity exercise, and TTF remained similar.

Cardiorespiratory and Neuromuscular Improvements Plateau after 2 wk of Sprint Interval Training in Sedentary Individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies ranging from 2 to 12 wk of sprint interval training (SIT) have reported improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ) and neuromuscular function in sedentary populations. However, whether the time course of the changes in these variables correlates with greater training volumes is unclear. METHODS: Thirteen sedentary participants performed three all-out training weekly sessions involving 15-s sprints interspersed with 2 min of recovery on a cycle ergometer. The 6-wk training program was composed of three identical blocks of 2 wk in which training volume was increased from 10 to 14 repetitions over the first four sessions and reduced to 8 in the last session. The power output and the heart rate (HR) were monitored during the sessions. The V̇O 2max , the power-force-velocity profile, and the isometric force were assessed every 2 wk from baseline. RESULTS: A significant increase in V̇O 2max was observed from the second week plateauing thereafter despite four additional weeks of training. The dynamic force production increased from the second week, and the speed production decreased by the end of the protocol. The isometric force and the maximal power output from the power-force-velocity profile did not change. Importantly, the time spent at high percentages of the maximal HR during the training sessions was lower in the second and third training block compared with the first. CONCLUSIONS: SIT resulted in an effective approach for rapidly increasing V̇O 2max , and no change in the isometric force was found; cycling-specific neuromuscular adaptations were observed from the second week of training. SIT may be useful in the short term, but further improvement of overall physical fitness might need other training modalities like endurance and/or resistance training.

Turmeric root extract supplementation improves pre-frontal cortex oxygenation and blood volume in older males and females: a randomised cross-over, placebo-controlled study.

Ageing is associated with endothelial dysfunction and reduced cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. The present study aimed to investigate whether turmeric supplementation could improve cerebral oxygenation and blood volume during brain activation via dynamic handgrip exercise in older males and females. Twelve older males and females were studied using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Participants ingested turmeric root extract or placebo. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and 2 hours after supplementation. Afterward, the exercise protocol was started, and cerebral oxygenation and blood volume were evaluated. During exercise, changes in cerebral oxygenation were higher after turmeric extract supplementation, as was blood volume compared to placebo. Changes in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were not significant. The current findings indicate the potential for curcumin as an intervention for improving cerebral oxygenation and blood volume changes in older males and females. Clinical trial registry: NCT04119752.

Effect of dietary nitrate ingestion on muscular performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Dietary nitrate consumption from foods such as beetroot has been associated with many physiological benefits including improvements in vascular health and exercise performance. More recently, attention has been given to the use of dietary nitrate as a nutritional strategy to optimize muscular performance during resistance exercise. Our purpose was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the research literature assessing the effect of dietary nitrate ingestion on muscular strength and muscular endurance. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and from the total included studies (n = 34 studies), 12 studies had data for both measurement of strength and muscular endurance outcomes, 14 studies had data only for muscular strength outcome, and 8 studies had data only for muscular endurance outcome. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated and meta-analyses were performed by using a random-effects model. Dietary nitrate ingestion was found to result in a trivial but significant effect on muscular strength (overall SMD = 0.08, P = 0.0240). Regarding muscular endurance dietary nitrate was found to promote a small but significant effect (overall SMD = 0.31, P < 0.0001). Dosage, frequency of ingestion, training level, muscle group, or type of contraction did not affect the findings, except for a greater improvement in muscle endurance during isometric and isotonic when compared to isokinetic contractions. Dietary nitrate seems to have a positive effect on muscular strength and muscular endurance, which is mostly unaffected by dosage, frequency of ingestion, training level, muscle group, or type of contraction. However, given the trivial to small effect, further experimental research on this topic is warranted.

Acute supplementation with beetroot juice improves endothelial function in HIV-infected individuals.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with lower nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and vascular dysfunction. Nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BJ) has been shown to acutely increase NO availability and vascular function in healthy and individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Thus, we tested the effects of BJ ingestion on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in healthy and HIV-infected patients. Thirteen HIV-infected individuals (age, 36 ± 10 years) and 18 healthy (age, 27 ± 8 years) participated in the study. Individuals were submitted to vascular tests such as FMD and pulse PWV at pre (T0) and at 120 min (T120) after BJ and placebo (PLA) ingestion. The %FMD at T0 of the control group was significantly higher than the %FMD at T0 of the HIV individuals in both interventions. BJ improved the %FMD at T120 when compared with T0 in the HIV and control groups. There was no change in %FMD after PLA ingestion in the control and HIV groups. There were no differences between groups (control vs HIV), time points (T0 vs T120), and interventions (BJ vs PLA) for PWV. Our findings showed that nitrate-rich BJ ingestion acutely improved vascular function in healthy and HIV-infected patients. Clinical Trials Registry no. NCT03485248. Novelty: HIV is associated with lower NO bioavailability and vascular dysfunction. Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich BJ has been shown to acutely increases NO bioavailability. We showed for the first time that BJ acutely improves endothelial function in HIV-infected patients.

Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived total haemoglobin as an indicator of changes in muscle blood flow during exercise-induced hyperaemia.

Blood flow changes in response to exercise have been attributed, among other factors, to the effect of vasodilators factors on the microvasculature, suggesting a close relationship between small blood vessels and conducting arteries. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the changes in near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived total haemoglobin ([tHb]) and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) signals and femoral artery blood flow in response to resistance exercise at fast- and slow-velocity muscle contraction. The study randomised crossover design included twelve participants. NIRS and blood flow measurements were continuously monitored before, during, and 5 min after the exercise protocol. There was a significant correlation between [tHb] reperfusion slope ([tHb]slope) and peak blood flow (BFpeak) after slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction (r = 0.83, p = 0.0008 and r = 0.72, p = 0.0080, respectively). No significant correlation existed between the SmO2 reperfusion slope (SmO2_slope) and BFpeak after both slow- and fast-velocity muscle contraction exercise (r = -0.46, p = 0.1253 and r = 0.33, p = 0.2841, respectively). This study demonstrated a strong relationship between the NIRS-derived [tHb] and Doppler ultrasound BF during the recovery period of dynamic resistance exercise at both slow- and fast-velocity contraction.

The effects of the analysis strategy on the correlation between the NIRS reperfusion measures and the FMD response.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived measures of microvascular responses using a range of different analysis and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Additionally, we aimed to investigate whether assessing NIRS and FMD simultaneously or non-simultaneously would affect this association. Thirty-five healthy young individuals (26 ±â€¯13 years old) participated in the study. Twenty were submitted to a simultaneous NIRS/FMD test (NIRS probe placed below the cuff during FMD test) and fifteen to a non-simultaneous FMD and NIRS intervention (NIRS test performed 20 min after FMD). NIRS-derived oxygen saturation signal (StO2) during reperfusion was analyzed as follow: upslope of a 10 s (slope 10 s) and 30 s (slope 30 s) reperfusion window immediately following cuff deflation, time for the StO2 to reach the pre-occlusion (baseline) values after cuff release (time to baseline) and to reach the peak after cuff release (time to max), difference between the minimum and maximum StO2 value reached after cuff deflation (Magnitude) and; the total area under the reperfusion curve above the baseline value until the end of the 2 min post cuff release (AUC 2 min). There was a significant positive correlation between slope 10 s and FMD in the simultaneous (r = 0.60; p < 0.05) and non-simultaneous (r = 0.62; p < 0.05) assessments. There was no significant correlation between NIRS-derived slope 30 s, time to baseline, time to max, magnitude, and AUC 2 min and the FMD in both methods. The association between NIRS and FMD is analysis strategy dependent, regardless if assessed simultaneously or non-simultaneously.

The effects of aging and cardiovascular risk factors on microvascular function assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy.

This study aimed to evaluate whether NIRS-derived reperfusion rate would detect potential differences in the forearm microvascular responsiveness between young healthy adults, and older adults free from or with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Fifteen healthy young (age: 24.8 ±â€¯4.0 years), seventeen older adults free of CVD risk factors (age: 67.0 ±â€¯6.8 years), and twenty-three older adults with CVD risk factors (age: 67.9 ±â€¯8.0 years) participated this study. Individuals underwent a blood draw and vascular occlusion test (30 s of baseline, 5 min of occlusion, and 2 min of reperfusion) and microvascular responsiveness was evaluated by using NIRS-derived tissue oxygen saturation indexes during reperfusion. A significant slower reperfusion rate and lower reperfusion magnitude was observed in older adults with CVD risk factors compared to healthy young and older adults. Although no statistical differences were found between healthy young and older individuals, there was a small (d = 0.4) effect size for reperfusion rate and moderate (d = 0.7) effects size for reperfusion magnitude when comparing these groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that even though the effects of aging per se on microvascular function should not be completely neglected, the CVD risk factors seem to be determinant on microvascular responsiveness impairment associated with aging.

The association between near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of microvascular reactivity and flow-mediated dilation is disrupted in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the NIRS-derived reperfusion slope and %FMD in the arm of healthy and at high risk for CVD individuals. METHODS: Twelve healthy (24 ± 4 years) and twelve at high risk for cardiovascular disease (65 ± 11 years) individuals participated in the study. The individuals were submitted to a conduit artery FMD followed by a NIRS-VOT microvascular function test in the arm. Microvascular responsiveness was calculated as the forearm reperfusion slope, and macrovascular function was assessed as the percent of change in FMD (%FMD) of the brachial artery. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between reperfusion slope and %FMD (R = 0.61, P < 0.05) in the healthy group; however, no significant correlation between FMD and reperfusion slope (R = -0.21, P > 0.05) was found in individuals at high risk for CVD. CONCLUSION: The correlation between NIRS-derived reperfusion slope and %FMD was disrupted in the arm of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease compared to healthy individuals. The findings of the present study reinforce the importance of examining vascular function at microvasculature and conduit artery level, especially in populations with risk factors for CVD.

Noninvasive and in vivo assessment of upper and lower limb skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism activity and microvascular responses to glucose ingestion in humans.

This study investigated changes in muscle oxidative metabolism and microvascular responsiveness induced by glucose ingestion in the upper and lower limbs using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Fourteen individuals (aged 27 ± 1.4 years) underwent 5 vascular occlusion tests (VOT) (pre-intervention (Pre), 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after glucose challenge). NIRS-derived oxygen saturation (StO2) was measured on the forearm and leg muscle at each VOT. Muscle oxidative metabolism was determined by the StO2 downslope during cuff inflation (deoxygenation slope); microvascular responsiveness was estimated by the StO2 upslope (reperfusion slope) following cuff deflation. There was a significant increase in arm (p < 0.05; 1-ß = 0.860) and leg (p < 0.05; 1-ß = 1.000) oxidative metabolism activity as represented by the faster deoxygenation slope at 60, 90, and 120 min (0.08 ± 0.03, 0.08 ± 0.03, 0.08 ± 0.02%·s-1, respectively) (leg) and at 90 min (0.16 ± 0.08%·s-1) (arm) observed after glucose ingestion when compared with their respective Pre values (leg = 0.06 ± 0.02; arm = 0.11 ± 0.04%·s-1). There was a significant increase in arm (p < 0.05; 1-ß = 0.880) and leg (p < 0.05; 1-ß = 0.983) reperfusion slope at 60 min (arm = 3.63 ± 2.1%·s-1; leg = 1.56 ± 0.6%·s-1), 90 min (arm = 3.91 ± 2.1%·s-1; leg = 1.60 ± 0.6%·s-1), and 120 min (arm = 3.91 ± 1.6%·s-1; leg = 1.54 ± 0.6%·s-1) when compared with their Pre values (arm = 2.79 ± 1.7%·s-1; leg = 1.26 ± 0.5%·s-1). Our findings showed that NIRS-VOT technique is capable of detecting postprandial changes in muscle oxidative metabolism activity and microvascular reactivity in the upper and lower limb. Novelty NIRS-VOT is a promising noninvasive clinical approach that may help in the early, limb-specific detection of impairments in glucose oxidation and microvascular function.

Near-infrared spectroscopy can detect differences in vascular responsiveness to a hyperglycaemic challenge in individuals with obesity compared to normal-weight individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the near-infrared spectroscopy combined with vascular occlusion test technique could detect differences in vascular responsiveness during hyperglycaemia between normal-weight individuals and individuals with obesity. METHODS: A total of 16 normal-weight individuals (body mass index, 21.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2) and 13 individuals with obesity (body mass index, 34.4 ± 2.0 kg/m2) were submitted to five vascular occlusion tests (Pre, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after glucose challenge). Vascular responsiveness was determined by the Slope 2 (Slope 2 StO2) and the area under the curve (StO2AUC) of oxygen saturation derived from near-infrared spectroscopy-vascular occlusion test. RESULTS: The Slope 2 StO2 increased from 1.07 ± 0.16%/s (Pre) to 1.53 ± 0.21%/s at 90 min ( p < 0.05) in the control group, while in obese it increased from 0.71 ± 0.09%/s (Pre) to 0.92 ± 0.14%/s at 60 min ( p < 0.05), and to 0.97 ± 0.10%/s ( p < 0.01) at 120 min after glucose ingestion. The StO2AUC decreased from 1729 ± 214% . sec (Pre) to 1259 ± 232% . sec at 60 min ( p < 0.05) and to 1034 ± 172% . sec at 90 min ( p < 0.05) in the normal-weight group, whereas it decreased at 90 min (637 ± 98% . sec; p < 0.05) and at 120 min (590 ± 93% . sec; p < 0.01) compared to 30 min (1232 ± 197% . sec) after glucose ingestion in individuals with obesity. CONCLUSION: Near-infrared spectroscopy-vascular occlusion test technique was capable of detecting differences in vascular responsiveness during hyperglycaemia between normal-weight individuals and individuals with obesity.

The near-infrared spectroscopy-derived deoxygenated haemoglobin breaking-point is a repeatable measure that demarcates exercise intensity domains.

OBJECTIVES: A breaking-point in the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived deoxygenated haemoglobin ([HHb]) profile towards the end of a ramp incremental (RI) cycling test has been associated to the respiratory compensation point (RCP). Despite the physiological value of this measure, its repeatability remains unknown. The aim was to examine the repeatability of the [HHb] breaking-point ([HHb]BP) and its association to RCP during a RI cycling test. DESIGN: A repeated measures design was performed on 11 males (30.5±8.4 year; 76.5±8.4kg) and 4 females (30.5±5.9 year; 61.9±4.4 Kg). METHODS: Gas exchange and NIRS [HHb] data were collected during RI tests performed on two different days separated by 48h. The [HHb]BP and the RCP were determined and compared for each trial. RESULTS: The [HHb]BP and the respiratory compensation point (RCP) occurred at the same VO2 in test 1 and test 2 ([HHb]BP: 3.49±0.52Lmin-1 test 1; 3.48±0.45Lmin-1 test 2; RCP: 3.38±0.40Lmin-1 test 1; 3.38±0.44Lmin-1 test 2) (P>0.05). The VO2 associated with the [HHb]BP and the VO2 at RCP were not significantly different from each other either in test 1 as well as in test 2 (P>0.05). Neither test 1 nor test 2 showed significant mean average error between the VO2 at the [HHb]BP and RCP using Bland & Altman plots. CONCLUSIONS: The [HHb]BP is a repeatable measure that consistently occurs towards the end of a RI test. The association between the [HHb]BP and the RCP reinforces the idea that these parameters may share similar mechanistic basis.

Changes in vascular responsiveness during a hyperglycemia challenge measured by near-infrared spectroscopy vascular occlusion test.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with impaired vascular responsiveness. Recent studies have established the use of a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived approach, combined with a vascular occlusion test (VOT), to examine vascular responsiveness within the microvasculature in normoglycemia. The aim of this study was to examine whether this NIRS-VOT technique could detect differences in vascular responsiveness following a hyperglycemic challenge. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen young healthy individuals participated in the study. Participants underwent five vascular occlusion tests (pre, 30, 60, 90 and 120min after glucose ingestion). Vascular responsiveness was determined by the slope 2 of oxygen saturation (Slope 2 StO2) and the area under the curve of oxygen saturation (StO2AUC) signal. All individuals had a significant increase in blood glucose concentration after 30min (p<0.001), 60min (p<0.001) and 90min (p<0.01) after glucose ingestion. The Slope 2 StO2 increased at 90min (p<0.01) after glucose ingestion. Conversely, The StO2AUC was significantly decreased 90min following the glucose challenge (p<0.01). A negative correlation was observed between average StO2AUC and average Slope 2 StO2 (r=-0.995; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the NIRS-VOT technique is capable of detecting differential changes in vascular responsiveness to a hyperglycemic challenge, as indicated by a steeper Slope 2 StO2 and decreased StO2AUC following 90min of an oral glucose challenge.

Effects of prior heavy-intensity exercise on oxygen uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics of a subsequent heavy-intensity cycling and knee-extension exercise.

This study examined the effects of prior heavy-intensity exercise on the adjustment of pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO(2p)) and muscle deoxygenation Δ[HHb] during the transition to subsequent heavy-intensity cycling (CE) or knee-extension (KE) exercise. Nine young adults (aged 24 ± 5 years) performed 4 repetitions of repeated bouts of heavy-intensity exercise separated by light-intensity CE and KE, which included 6 min of baseline exercise, a 6-min step of heavy-intensity exercise (H1), 6-min recovery, and a 6-min step of heavy-intensity exercise (H2). Exercise was performed at 50 r·min(-1) or contractions per minute per leg. Oxygen uptake (VO(2)) mean response time was ∼20% faster (p < 0.05) during H2 compared with H1 in both modalities. Phase 2 time constants (τ) were not different between heavy bouts of CE (H1, 29.6 ± 6.5 s; H2, 28.0 ± 4.6 s) or KE exercise (H1, 31.6 ± 6.7 s; H2, 29.8 ± 5.6 s). The VO(2) slow component amplitude was lower (p < 0.05) in H2 in both modalities (CE, 0.19 ± 0.06 L·min(-1); KE, 0.12 ± 0.07 L·min(-1)) compared with H1 (CE, 0.29 ± 0.09 L·min(-1); KE, 0.18 ± 0.07 L·min(-1)), with the contribution of the slow component to the total VO(2) response reduced (p < 0.05) in H2 during both exercise modes. The effective τHHb was similar between bouts for CE (H1, 18.2 ± 3.0 s; H2, 18.0 ± 3.6 s) and KE exercise (H1, 26.0 ± 7.0 s; H2, 24.0 ± 5.8 s). The ΔHHb slow component was reduced during H2 in both CE and KE (p < 0.05). In conclusion, phase 2 VO(2p) was unchanged with priming exercise; however, a faster mean response time of VO(2p) during the heavy-intensity exercise preceded by a priming heavy-intensity exercise was attributed to a smaller slow component and reduced muscle deoxygenation indicative of improved muscle O(2) delivery during the second bout of exercise.