Repeated cold-water immersion improves autonomic cardiac modulation following five sessions of high-intensity interval exercise.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the effect of repeated cold-water immersion (CWI) after high-intensity interval exercise sessions on cardiac-autonomic modulation, neuromuscular performance, muscle damage markers, and session internal load. METHODS: Twenty-one participants underwent five sessions of high-intensity interval exercise (6-7 bouts of 2 min; pause of 2 min) over a two-week period. Participants were allocated randomly into either a group that underwent CWI (11-min; 11 °C) or a group that performed passive recovery after each exercise session. Before the exercise sessions were performed, countermovement jump (CMJ) and heart rate variability were recorded (i.e., rMSSD, low and high frequency power and its ratio, SD1 and SD2). Exercise heart rate was calculated by recording the area under the curve (AUC) response. Internal session load was evaluated 30 min after each session. Blood concentrations of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed before the first visit and 24 h after the last sessions. RESULTS: The CWI group presented higher rMSSD than the control group at each time point (group-effect P = 0.037). The SD1 was higher in CWI group when compared to the control group following the last exercise session (interaction P = 0.038). SD2 was higher in CWI group compared to the control group at each time point (group-effect P = 0.030). Both groups presented equal CMJ performance (P > 0.05), internal load (group-effect P = 0.702; interaction P = 0.062), heart rate AUC (group-effect P = 0.169; interaction P = 0.663), and creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase blood concentrations (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Repeated post-exercise CWI improves cardiac-autonomic modulation. However, no differences in neuromuscular performance, muscle damage markers, or session internal load were demonstrated between the groups.

Sodium bicarbonate induces alkalosis, but improves high-intensity cycling performance only when participants expect a beneficial effect: a placebo and nocebo study.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) intake with divergent verbal and visual information on constant load cycling time-to-task failure, conducted within the severe intensity domain. Fifteen recreational cyclists participated in a randomized double-blind, crossover study, ingesting NaHCO3 or placebo (i.e., dextrose), but with divergent information about its likely influence (i.e., likely to induce ergogenic, inert, or harmful effects). Performance was evaluated using constant load cycling time to task failure trial at 115% of peak power output estimated during a ramp incremental exercise test. Data on blood lactate, blood acid-base balance, muscle electrical activity (EMG) through electromyography signal, and the twitch interpolation technique to assess neuromuscular indices were collected. Despite reduced peak force in the isometric maximal voluntary contraction and post-effort peripheral fatigue in all conditions (P < 0.001), neither time to task failure, EMG nor, blood acid-base balance differed between conditions (P > 0.05). Evaluation of effect sizes of all conditions suggested that informing participants that the supplement would be likely to have a positive effect (NaHCO3/Ergogenic: 0.46; 0.15-0.74; Dextrose/Ergogenic: 0.45; 0.04-0.88) resulted in improved performance compared to control. Thus, NaHCO3 ingestion consistently induced alkalosis, indicating that the physiological conditions to improve performance were present. Despite this, NaHCO3 ingestion did not influence performance or indicators of neuromuscular fatigue. In contrast, effect size estimates indicate that participants performed better when informed that they were ingesting an ergogenic supplement. These findings suggest that the apparently ergogenic effect of NaHCO3 may be due, at least in part, to a placebo effect.

High-intensity intermittent exercise induces a potential anti-inflammatory response in healthy women across the menstrual cycle.

AIM: This observational study aimed to examine cytokine responses to high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: Fourteen healthy women (24 ± 2 years; body mass index [BMI]: 22.8 ± 1.9 kg⋅m2; maximal oxygen consumption [V̇O2max]: 41.5 ± 4.1 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1) with regular menstrual cycles were randomly assigned to 4 experimental sessions, 2 during the follicular and 2 during the luteal phase. V̇O2max and maximum aerobic velocity (MAV) were determined prior to the experimental sessions through a graded exercise test during both follicular and luteal phases. Seventy-two hours after having completed the graded exercise test, all participants performed a HIIE session (10 x 1-min sprints with 1 min of rest) at 90% of their MAV. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were measured before (Pre), immediately after (Post) and 1 h after (1 h Post) the HIIE sessions. RESULTS: Pre-exercise concentrations of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (P < 0.01), with no differences seen on IL-6 and IL-17, demonstrating an altered inflammatory status in the luteal phase. There was a significant interaction for IL-10 concentration (P < 0.01) with reductions in both luteal (Pre vs Post, 95 %CI: 1.086 to 6.156; and Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 1.720 to 9.013, P < 0.01) and follicular phase (Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 0.502 to 7.842, P < 0.05). Despite no significant phase × time interaction for TNF-α concentration, its concentration at 1 h Post was significantly lower compared to Pre in the luteal phase analysis (Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 0.71 to 14.06; P < 0.05). These results are in agreement with IL-10 responses, highlighting a reduction on the inflammatory status after exercise. CONCLUSION: Mostly during the luteal phase, high-intensity intermittent exercise modulates cytokine responses, thus impacting exercise recovery. In this scenario, high-intensity intermittent exercise emerges as a non-pharmacology strategy to regulate inflammatory responses on healthy women who were affected by an inflammatory state given their menstrual cycle.

Tracking the Fatigue Status after a Resistance Exercise through Different Parameters.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the sensitivity of back squat bar velocity, isometric mid-thigh pull, heart rate variability parameters, perceived recovery scale and step counts for tracking the muscular fatigue time-course (reduction in countermovement jump [CMJ] performance) after strenuous acute lower limb resistance exercise. Sixteen healthy men performed heart rate variability assessment, perceived recovery scale, CMJ, back squat bar velocity, isometric mid-thigh pull, and daily step counts before and 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post a strenuous acute lower limb resistance exercise (8×10 repetitions). The CMJ height decreased at 24 and 48 h after exercise session (p≤0.017), evidencing the muscular fatigue. The perceived recovery scale presented lower values compared to baseline until 72 h after exercise session (p<0.001 for all). The heart rate variability parameters and step counts were not significantly different across time. At 24 h post, only mean force of mid-thigh pull was decreased (p=0.044), while at 48 h post, only peak force of mid-thigh pull was decreased (p=0.020). On the last day (72 h), only bar velocity (mean) presented reduction (p=0.022). Therefore, the perceived recovery scale was the only variable sensible to tracking muscular fatigue, i. e. presenting a similar time-course to CMJ height.

Drop jumps improve repeated sprint ability performance in professional basketball players.

To verify the acute effect of drop jumps (DJ) on two repeated sprint ability tests (RSA), interspersed with a rest period simulating a basketball game break. Twelve first division basketball players (age: 24.8 ± 6.9 years; body mass: 97.0 ± 9.2 kg; height: 2.0 ± 0.1 m) performed, in a randomized crossover design, two RSA tests separated by 5 min after DJ or control conditions. The DJ condition comprised 5 DJs performed 4 min prior to the first RSA test, whereas 3 DJ were completed 30 s prior to a second RSA test. Surface electromyography was recorded from the lower body for root mean square (RMS) analyses during sprinting. Three countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were performed after warming up and immediately after the second RSA test. DJ improved RSA performance with a faster best time in the first RSA test (p = 0.035), and a shorter total time and mean time (p = 0.030) for the second RSA test. No significant differences were found in RMS between protocols. CMJdecreased in both conditions after the RSA tests (p < 0.05). This study revealed a post-DJ RSA potentiation in professional male basketball players. This simple and effective approach could be implemented at the end of the warm-up and before the end of game breaks to improve player preparedness to compete.

Racial differences in hemoglobin and plasma volume variation: implications for muscle performance and recovery.

Objective: To examine the effect of race differences on sprint performance, Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Ht) and plasma volume (PV) variation in response to repeated sprint exercise. Design: Thirty-six healthy, moderately trained men and women (20.8 ± 0.2 year-old) volunteered to participate in this study. They were allocated to one of the four groups according to their gender and race: Black men's group (BM, n = 9), White men's group (WM, n = 9), Black women's group (BW, n = 9) and White women's group (WW, n = 9). All participants performed the running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), which consists of six 35-m sprints with 10 s of recovery in-between. Six venous blood samples were collected to determine Hb, Ht and PV levels at rest, after warm-up, immediately post- and at 5, 15 and 30 min post-RAST. Blood lactate is also sampled during the 3rd minutes of recovery. Results: The best running time was significantly shorter (P = .002) in BW compared to WW. We have observed significantly higher Hb (P = .010) and Ht (P = .004) levels in BW compared to WW during the 5th minute of recovery. During RAST, the PV decreased significantly (P = .007) in WM only. Black groups had lower (P < .05) lactate levels compared to the white subjects. During recovery, PV increase was significantly (P = .003) higher in WW compared to BW during the 5th minute of recovery. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sprint and repeated sprint performances were different between white and black women. Differences in anaerobic performance between the groups were associated with racial differences in lactate levels and blood count among women's group during recovery time. Hence, it is important to take into account this race-related difference in hematological parameters in responses to intense efforts.

Reliability and Validity of Tethered Swimming Lactate Minimum Test and Their Relationship With Performance in Young Swimmers.

PURPOSE: To test the reliability and validity of tethered swimming lactate minimum test in young swimmers. METHODS: Lactate minimum test was performed twice to test the reliability (experiment 1; n = 13). In addition, the validity was investigated through lactate minimum test relationships with tethered swimming lactate threshold and peak force obtained during graded exercise test (experiment 2; n = 11). Finally, the correlations with mean speeds observed during 200-m (s200m) and 30-minute continuous efforts (s30min) were also analyzed (experiment 3; n = 15). In all experiments, the lactate minimum test began with 3-minute all-out effort to induce lactatemia, followed by an exhaustive graded exercise test. RESULTS: The lactate minimum intensity and mean force during the entire 3-minute all-out effort (MF) showed high reliability (coefficient of variation < 8.9% and intraclass correlation coefficient > .93). The lactate minimum intensity was not different compared with lactate threshold (P = .22), presenting high correlations (r = .92) and agreement (95% limits of agreement = ±7.9 N). The mean force during the entire 3-minute all-out effort was similar to peak force obtained during graded exercise test (P = .41), presenting significant correlations (r = .88) and high indices of agreement (95% limits of agreement = ±11.3 N). In addition, lactate minimum test parameters correlated both with mean speeds observed during 200-m (r > .74) and 30-minute continuous efforts (r > .70). CONCLUSION: Thus, tethered swimming lactate minimum test can be used for training recommendations and to monitor aerobic adaptations in young swimmers.

Energetic demand and physical conditioning of table tennis players. A study review.

Table tennis is a racket sport characterised by an intermittent movement profile, including short rallies interspersed with short breaks. In contrast to other racket sports, information is lacking regarding the: (i) physiological responses during table tennis matches and training; and (ii) practical recommendations for enhancing aerobic and anaerobic performance in table tennis by improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry and nutritional strategies. Therefore, this review article attempts to narratively provide an overview of the physiology of table tennis by describing the metabolic mechanisms underlying match play and outlining a framework for practical recommendations for improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry as well as nutritional strategies. A second aim was to stimulate future research on table tennis and to point out study limitations in this context. In general, the most important finding is that the rally duration is short at around 3.5s, with a longer rest time of around 8-20s, resulting in an effort-rest ratio ranging from 0.15 to 0.22 in official matches and energetic demands during match relatively low. Future studies should focus on the relationship between energetic demand and table tennis performance with a view to predicting performance in table tennis using physiological parameters.

Effect of contact and no-contact small-sided games on elite handball players.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of contact (C-SSG) and no-contact (NC-SSG) handball small-sided games (SSGs) on motion patterns and physiological responses of elite handball players. Twelve male handball players performed 10 C-SSG and 10 NC-SSG while being monitored through the heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) as physiological responses and time-motion activities profile using video-match analysis. Both game conditions resulted in similar HR responses (P > 0.05), but the NC-SSG led to a higher RPE scores. The time-motion activity analysis featured NC-SSG with a greater amount of walking (855.6 ± 25.1 vs. 690.6 ± 35.2 m) and backward movements (187.5 ± 12.3 vs. 142.5 ± 8.7 m) combined with fast running (232.3 ± 8.5 vs. 159.7 ± 5.7 m) and sprinting (79.5 ± 4.7 vs. 39.7 ± 3.7 m) activities (P < 0.001). Conversely, C-SSG had a higher percentage of jogging and sideway movements associated with greater frequency of jumping (0.87 ± 0.09 vs. 0.31 ± 0.06 nr) and physical contact (1.82 ± 0.55 vs. 0.25 ± 0.03 nr) events (P < 0.001). No between-regimen differences were found for the number of throws (P = 0.745). In addition, the RPE was significantly correlated with fast running relative distances (r = 0.909, P < 0.001) and sprinting relative distances (r = 0.939, P < 0.001). In conclusion, this investigation showed that both C-SSG and NC-SSG in team handball can effectively represent specifically oriented exercises, according to the sport-task and the performance demands.

Relationships among the Tethered 3-min All-Out Test, MAOD and Swimming Performance.

To allow the use of the 3-min all-out parameters for anaerobic evaluation, the aim of the present study was to test its relationships to maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and short/middle distance performances. 9 swimmers (age 19±1 years, height 176.7±6.1 cm and body mass 68.7±6.1 kg) underwent a 3-min all-out test and MAOD procedures (10 submaximal efforts and one exhaustive effort at maximal force attained during a graded exercise test); both were applied using tethered swimming conditions. Short/middle free-swimming performances were assessed at 50, 100 and 200 m distances. Only the peak force (PF) attained during 3-min all-out test exhibited a direct relationship to MAOD (r=0.77; p=0.02). Mean force, mean force until 150 s and total impulse, which were obtained during the 3-min all-out test, exhibited inverse relationship to short/middle performances (r>-0.79; p<0.02). However, no relationship was observed between PF and performances. In addition, MAOD exhibited an inverse relationships to all performances (r>-0.72; p<0.04). Thus, the present study demonstrated that only PF can be used to evaluate the anaerobic metabolism and most of the 3-min all-out test parameters are dependent on force maintenance capacity, which is also important in short/middle performance.

Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Throwing Velocities in Repeated Sprint Ability and 200-m Swimming Performance in Young Water Polo Players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on specific tests for water polo. Fifteen young water polo players (16 ± 2 years) underwent a 200-m swimming performance, repeated-sprint ability test (RSA) with free throw (shooting), and 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (placebo × beta-alanine) and supplemented with 6.4g∙day-1of beta-alanine or a placebo for six weeks. The mean and total RSA times, the magnitude based inference analysis showed a likely beneficial effect for beta-alanine supplementation (both). The ball velocity measured in the throwing performance after each sprint in the RSA presented a very like beneficial inference in the beta-alanine group for mean (96.4%) and percentage decrement of ball velocity (92.5%, likely beneficial). Furthermore, the percentage change for mean ball velocity was different between groups (beta-alanine=+2.5% and placebo=-3.5%; p = .034). In the 30-s maximal tethered eggbeater kicks the placebo group presented decreased peak force, mean force, and fatigue index, while the beta-alanine group maintained performance in mean force (44.1%, possibly beneficial), only presenting decreases in peak force. The 200-m swimming performance showed a possibly beneficial effect (68.7%). Six weeks of beta-alanine supplementation was effective for improving ball velocity shooting in the RSA, maintaining performance in the 30-s test, and providing possibly beneficial effects in the 200-m swimming performance.

Acute LED irradiation does not change the anaerobic capacity and time to exhaustion during a high-intensity running effort: a double-blind, crossover, and placebo-controlled study : Effects of LED irradiation on anaerobic capacity and performance in running.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of photobiomodulation therapy using cluster light-emitting diodes (LEDT; 104 diodes) (wavelength 660 and 850 nm; energy density 1.5 and 4.5 J/cm(2); energy 60 J at each point; total energy delivered 600 J) on alternative maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAODALT) and time to exhaustion, during a high-intensity running effort. Fifteen moderately active and healthy males (age 25.1 ± 4.4 years) underwent a graded exercise test and two supramaximal exhaustive efforts at 115 % of the intensity associated with maximal oxygen uptake performed after acute LEDT or placebo irradiation in a double-blind, crossover, and placebo-controlled study design. The MAODALT was assumed as the sum of both oxygen equivalents estimated from the glycolytic and phosphagen metabolism pathways during each supramaximal effort. For the statistical analysis, a paired t test was used to determine differences between the treatments. The significance level was assumed as 95 %. In addition, a qualitative analysis was used to determine the magnitude of differences between groups. No significant differences were found for the values of oxygen equivalents from each energetic metabolism (P ≥ 0.28), for MAODALT values between the LEDT and placebo conditions (P ≥ 0.27), or for time to exhaustion (P = 0.80), except for the respiratory exchange ratio (P = 0.01). The magnitude-based inference of effect size reported only a possibly negative effect of photobiomodulation on MAODALT when expressed in units relative to body mass and on the glycolysis pathway (26 %). In summary, LEDT after a high-intensity running effort did not alter the MAODALT, metabolic energy pathways, or high-intensity running performance.

Effects of low-level laser therapy on performance, inflammatory markers, and muscle damage in young water polo athletes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 5 days of 810-nm low-level laser therapy (LLLT) intervention on inflammatory and muscle damage markers and performance in young water polo players. Twenty young male water polo players participated in the study, which was designed as a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Active LLLT or an identical placebo LLLT were delivered to eight points on the adductor muscle region immediately after each training day. Performance was measured by a 200-m maximal swimming (P200) and a 30-s crossbar jump test (30CJ) which was performed every day before training, and blood samples were drawn pre and post the final LLLT intervention to measure interleukins (IL) and muscle damage markers. There was no significant change in the P200 exercise in the LLLT group compared with the placebo group but there was a moderate improvement in the 30CJ (8.7 ± 2.6 %). IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-alpha presented increased (P < 0.016) concentration within group 48 h after the last LLLT intervention compared to pre, 0, and 24 h, but did not differ between groups. IL-10 increased over time in the placebo group and reached a moderate effect compared to the LLLT group. The creatine kinase decreased significantly (P = 0.049) over the time within the LLLT treatment group, but there was no significant change in lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.150). In conclusion, LLLT resulted in a non-significant, but small to moderate effect on inflammatory and muscle damage markers and a moderate effect on performance in water polo players. In addition, the lack of positive results could be due to the small area covered by irradiation and this should be considered in future studies.

Physiological responses at the lactate-minimum-intensity with and without prior high-intensity exercise.

This study examined the physiological responses during exercise-to-exhaustion at the lactate-minimum-intensity with and without prior high-intensity exercise. Eleven recreationally trained males performed a graded exercise test, a lactate minimum test and two constant-load tests at lactate-minimum-intensity until exhaustion, which were applied with or without prior hyperlactatemia induction (i.e., 30-s Wingate test). The physiological responses were significantly different (P < 0.05) between constant-load tests for pulmonary ventilation ([Formula: see text]), blood-lactate-concentration ([La(-)]), pH, bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3]) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide during the initial minutes. The comparisons within constant-load tests showed steady state behaviour for oxygen uptake and the respiratory exchange ratio, but heart rate and rating of perceived exertion increased significantly during both exercise conditions, while the [Formula: see text] increased only during constant-load effort. During effort performed after high-intensity exercise: [Formula: see text], [La(-)], pH and [HCO3] differed at the start of exercise compared to another condition but were similar at the end (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the constant-load exercises performed at lactate-minimum-intensity with or without prior high-intensity exercise did not lead to the steady state of all analysed parameters; however, variables such as [La(-)], pH and [HCO3] - altered at the beginning of effort performed after high-intensity exercise - were reestablished after approximately 30 min of exercise.

Caffeine Improved Time to Exhaustion But Did Not Change Alternative Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit Estimated During a Single Supramaximal Running Bout.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on anaerobic capacity determined by the alternative maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAODALT) in running effort. Eighteen recreational male runners [29 ± 7years; total body mass 72.1 ± 5.8 kg; height 176.0 ± 5.4cm; maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) 55.8 ± 4.2 ml·kg-1 ·min-1] underwent a graded exercise test. Caffeine (6 mg·kg-1) or a placebo were administered 1 hr before the supramaximal effort at 115% of the intensity associated with VO2max in a double-blind, randomized cross-over study, for MAODALT assessment. The time to exhaustion under caffeine condition (130.2 ± 24.5s) was 11.3% higher (p = .01) than placebo condition (118.8 ± 24.9 s) and the qualitative inference for substantial changes showed a very likely positive effect (93%). The net participation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway was significantly higher in the caffeine condition (p = .02) and showed a likely positive effect (90%) of 15.3% with caffeine supplementation. The time constant of abrupt decay of excess postexercise oxygen consumption (τ1) was significantly different between caffeine and placebo conditions (p = .03) and showed a likely negative effect (90%), decreasing -8.0% with caffeine supplementation. The oxygen equivalents estimated from the glycolytic and phosphagen metabolic pathways showed a possibly positive effect (68%) and possibly negative effect (78%) in the qualitative inference with caffeine ingestion, respectively. However, the MAODALT did not differ under the caffeine or placebo conditions (p = .68). Therefore, we can conclude that acute caffeine ingestion does not modify the MAODALT, reinforcing the robustness of this method. However, caffeine ingestion can alter the glycolytic and phosphagen metabolic pathway contributions to MAODALT.

Maximal Oxygen Uptake cannot be Determined in the Incremental Phase of The Lactate Minimum Test on a Cycle Ergometer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) determined using the incremental phase of the lactate minimum test (LM) on a cycle ergometer. Fifteen trained men were submitted to a graded exercise test (GXT) to evaluate the VO2MAX and LM. The total durations of the GXT and LM were 11.2±1.8 minutes (CI95%:10.2-12.3 minutes) and 25.3±3.2 minutes (CI95%:23.5-27.0), respectively. For the variables measured at exhaustion in both the GXT and LM, the oxygen uptake (54.6 ± 8.1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) vs 50.0 ± 7.7 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)), carbon dioxide production (66.1 ± 7.5 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) vs 50.4 ± 8.0 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)), ventilation (153.9 ± 19.0 L·min(-1) vs 129.9 ± 22.9 L·min(-1)), respiratory exchange ratio (1.22 ± 0.10 vs1.01 ± 0.05), maximal power output achieved (331.6 ± 45.8 W vs 242.4 ± 41.0 W), heart rate (183.1 ± 6.9 bpm vs175.9 ± 10.6 bpm) and lactate (10.5 ± 2.3 mmol·L(-1) vs 6.6 ± 2.2 mmol·L(-1)) were statistically lower in the LM (p < 0.05). However, the values of rating of perceived exertion (17.6 ± 2.5 for GXT and 17.2 ± 2.3 for LM) did not differ (ES = 0.12 and CV = 7.8%). There was no good agreement between the values of the VO2MAX from the GXT and VO2PEAK from the LM, as evidenced in the Bland-Altman plot (4.7 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) and 0.34 L·min(-1) of mean differences, respectively), as well as the high values of the upper and lower limits of agreement. We conclude that the VO2PEAK values obtained in the incremental phase of the LM underestimate the VO2MAX. Key pointsThe VO2MAX is not attained during the incremental phase of the lactate minimum test;The physiological responses at exhaustion during LM are not similar to physiological responses measured during GXT;There is a weak agreement between the peak VO2 measured at exhaustion during LM and the VO2MAX measured during GXT.

Similar Anti-Inflammatory Acute Responses from Moderate-Intensity Continuous and High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) versus volume matched steady state exercise (SSE) on inflammatory and metabolic responses. Eight physically active male subjects completed two experimental sessions, a 5-km run on a treadmill either continuously (70% vVO2max) or intermittently (1:1 min at vVO2max). Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately, 30 and 60 minutes after the exercise session. Blood was analyzed for glucose, non-ester fatty acid (NEFA), uric acid, lactate, cortisol, and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) levels. The lactate levels exhibited higher values immediately post-exercise than at rest (HIIE 1.34 ± 0.24 to 7.11 ± 2.85, and SSE 1.35 ± 0.14 to 4.06±1.60 mmol·L(-1), p < 0.05), but HIIE promoted higher values than SSE (p < 0.05); the NEFA levels were higher immediately post-exercise than at rest only in the SSE condition (0.71 ± 0.04 to 0.82±0.09 mEq/L, respectively, p < 0.05), yet, SSE promoted higher values than HIIE immediately after exercise (HIIE 0.72±0.03 vs SSE 0.82±0.09 mEq·L(-1), p < 0.05). Glucose and uric acid levels did not show changes under the different conditions (p > 0.05). Cortisol, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels showed time-dependent changes under the different conditions (p < 0.05), however, the area under the curve of TNF-α in the SSE were higher than HIIE (p < 0.05), and the area under the curve of IL-6 in the HIIE showed higher values than SSE (p < 0.05). In addition, both exercise conditions promote increased IL-10 levels and IL-10/TNF-α ratio (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that both exercise protocols, when volume is matched, promote similar inflammatory responses, leading to an anti-inflammatory status; however, the metabolic responses are different. Key pointsMetabolic contribution of both exercise, HIIE and SSE, was different.Both protocols leading to an anti-inflammatory status.HIIE induce a higher energy expenditure take into account total session duration.

Reliability of peak running speeds obtained from different incremental treadmill protocols.

This study compared the values and reliability of peak running speeds from incremental treadmill protocols with different speed increments. Thirty-one men, recreational, endurance-trained runners performed, in an alternate order, three continuous tests with different speed increments (0.5, 1 and 2 km · h(-1)). The tests were repeated using the same order. Peak speed was identified as (1) the greatest speed that could be maintained for a complete minute (Vpeak-60s), (2) the speed of the last complete stage (Vpeak-C) and (3) the speed of the last complete stage added to the product of the speed increment and the completed fraction of the incomplete stage (Vpeak-P). The Vpeak-P was the most reliable, independent of the incremental test protocol (1.5% ≤ CV ≤ 1.8%), and differently from Vpeak-C (1.8% ≤ CV ≤ 2.6%) and Vpeak-60s (1.6% ≤ CV ≤ 3.8%), the Vpeak-P was only slightly influenced by the incremental test protocol. The results suggest that Vpeak-P should be used to assess aerobic capability and monitor training effects and that other determinations of peak speed should be avoided.

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-wk 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 wk, or a control group ( n = 6). At pretraining 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 wk, the same evaluations were repeated (i.e., exercise intensities matched to current training status), and an additional cycling CWR matched to pretraining 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 posttraining, no differences were observed for TTF. The GPhos, HK, PFK, and LDH content and activity, and glycogen content also improved after training only in the SIT group. Furthermore, the MCT4 concentrations and muscle buffering capacity were also improved only for the 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.

The physiological demands of table tennis: a review.

Although table tennis has a tradition lasting more than 100 years, relatively little is known about players' physiological requirements - especially during competition. In this review we discuss research studies that have led to our current understanding of how the body functions during table tennis training and competition and how this is altered by training. Match and practice analysis of the table tennis game indicates that during intense practice and competition it is predominantly the anaerobic alactic system that is called into play, while the endurance system is relied on to recovery the anaerobic stores used during such effort. It is thus important for coaches to keep in mind that, while the anaerobic alactic system is the most energetic system used during periods of exertion in a table tennis game, a strong capacity for endurance is what helps a player recover quicker for the following match and the next day of competition. This paper provides a review of specific studies that relate to competitive table tennis, and highlights the need for training and research programs tailored to table tennis. Key PointsMatch and practice analysis of the table tennis game indicates that during intense practice and competition it is predominantly the anaerobic alactic system that is called into play.The endurance system is relied on to recovery the anaerobic stores used during hard practice and competition effort.It is important for coaches to keep in mind that, while the anaerobic alactic system is the most energetic system used during periods of exertion in a table tennis game, a strong capacity for endurance is what helps a player recover quicker for the following match and the next day of competition.