Influence of muscle oxygenation and nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation on O2 uptake kinetics and exercise tolerance.

We tested the hypothesis that acute supplementation with nitrate (NO3-)-rich beetroot juice (BR) would improve quadriceps muscle oxygenation, pulmonary oxygen uptake (V˙O2) kinetics and exercise tolerance (Tlim) in normoxia and that these improvements would be augmented in hypoxia and attenuated in hyperoxia. In a randomised, double-blind, cross-over study, ten healthy males completed two-step cycle tests to Tlim following acute consumption of 210 mL BR (18.6 mmol NO3-) or NO3--depleted beetroot juice placebo (PL; 0.12 mmol NO3-). These tests were completed in normobaric normoxia [fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2): 21%], hypoxia (FIO2: 15%) and hyperoxia (FIO2: 40%). Pulmonary V˙O2 and quadriceps tissue oxygenation index (TOI), derived from multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy, were measured during all trials. Plasma [nitrite] was higher in all BR compared to all PL trials (P < 0.05). Quadriceps TOI was higher in normoxia compared to hypoxia (P < 0.05) and higher in hyperoxia compared to hypoxia and normoxia (P < 0.05). Tlim was improved after BR compared to PL ingestion in the hypoxic trials (250 ± 44 vs. 231 ± 41 s; P = 0.006; d = 1.13), with the magnitude of improvement being negatively correlated with quadriceps TOI at Tlim (r = -0.78; P < 0.05). Tlim was not improved following BR ingestion in normoxia (BR: 364 ± 98 vs. PL: 344 ± 78 s; P = 0.087, d = 0.61) or hyperoxia (BR: 492 ± 212 vs. PL: 472 ± 196 s; P = 0.273, d = 0.37). BR ingestion increased peak V˙O2 in hypoxia (P < 0.05), but not normoxia or hyperoxia (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that BR supplementation is more likely to improve Tlim and peak V˙O2 in situations when skeletal muscle is more hypoxic.

Test-retest reliability of pulmonary oxygen uptake and muscle deoxygenation during moderate- and heavy-intensity cycling in youth elite-cyclists.

To establish the test-retest reliability of pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇O2), muscle deoxygenation (deoxy[haem]) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) kinetics in youth elite-cyclists. From baseline pedalling, 15 youth cyclists completed 6-min step transitions to a moderate- and heavy-intensity work rate separated by 8 min of baseline cycling. The protocol was repeated after 1 h of passive rest. V̇O2 was measured breath-by-breath alongside deoxy[haem] and StO2 of the vastus lateralis by near-infrared spectroscopy. Reliability was assessed using 95% limits of agreement (LoA), the typical error (TE) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). During moderate- and heavy-intensity step cycling, TEs for the amplitude, time delay and time constant ranged between 3.5-21.9% and 3.9-12.1% for V̇O2 and between 6.6-13.7% and 3.5-10.4% for deoxy[haem], respectively. The 95% confidence interval for estimating the kinetic parameters significantly improved for ensemble-averaged transitions of V̇O2 (p < 0.01) but not for deoxy[haem]. For StO2, the TEs for the baseline, end-exercise and the rate of deoxygenation were 1.0-42.5% and 1.1-5.5% during moderate- and heavy-intensity exercise, respectively. The ICC ranged from 0.81 to 0.99 for all measures. Test-retest reliability data provide limits within which changes in V̇O2, deoxy[haem] and StO2 kinetics may be interpreted with confidence in youth athletes.

Relationship between (non)linear phase II pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics with skeletal muscle oxygenation and age in 11-15 year olds.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Do the phase II parameters of pulmonary oxygen uptake ( V̇O2 ) kinetics display linear, first-order behaviour in association with alterations in skeletal muscle oxygenation during step cycling of different intensities or when exercise is initiated from an elevated work rate in youths. What is the main finding and its importance? Both linear and non-linear features of phase II V̇O2 kinetics may be determined by alterations in the dynamic balance between microvascular O2 delivery and utilization in 11-15 year olds. The recruitment of higher-order (i.e. type II) muscle fibres during 'work-to-work' cycling might be responsible for modulating V̇O2 kinetics with chronological age. ABSTRACT: This study investigated in 19 male youths (mean age: 13.6 ± 1.1 years, range: 11.7-15.7 years) the relationship between pulmonary oxygen uptake ( V̇O2 ) and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during moderate- and very heavy-intensity 'step' cycling initiated from unloaded pedalling (i.e. U â†’ M and U â†’ VH) and moderate to very heavy-intensity step cycling (i.e. M â†’ VH). Pulmonary V̇O2 was measured breath-by-breath along with the tissue oxygenation index (TOI) of the vastus lateralis using near-infrared spectroscopy. There were no significant differences in the phase II time constant ( τV̇O2p ) between U â†’ M and U â†’ VH (23 ± 6 vs. 25 ± 7 s; P = 0.36); however, the τV̇O2p was slower during M â†’ VH (42 ± 16 s) compared to other conditions (P < 0.001). Quadriceps TOI decreased with a faster (P < 0.01) mean response time (MRT; i.e. time delay + τ) during U â†’ VH (14 ± 2 s) compared to U â†’ M (22 ± 4 s) and M â†’ VH (20 ± 6 s). The difference (Δ) between the τV̇O2p and MRT-TOI was greater during U â†’ VH compared to U â†’ M (12 ± 7 vs. 2 ± 7 s, P < 0.001) and during M â†’ VH (23 ± 15 s) compared to other conditions (P < 0.02), suggesting an increased proportional speeding of fractional O2 extraction. The slowing of the τV̇O2p during M â†’ VH relative to U â†’ M and U â†’ VH correlated positively with chronological age (r = 0.68 and 0.57, respectively, P < 0.01). In youths, 'work-to-work' transitions slowed microvascular O2 delivery-to-O2 utilization with alterations in phase II V̇O2 dynamics accentuated between the ages of 11 and 15 years.

Influence of dietary nitrate supplementation on local sweating and cutaneous vascular responses during exercise in a hot environment.

PURPOSE: We investigated the influence of inorganic nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation on local sweating and cutaneous vascular responses during exercise in hot conditions. METHOD: Eight healthy, young subjects were assigned in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design to receive [Formula: see text]-rich beetroot (BR) juice (140 mL/day, containing ~ 8 mmol of [Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text]-depleted placebo (PL) juice (140 mL/day, containing ~ 0.003 mmol of [Formula: see text]) for 3 days. On day 3 of supplementation, subjects cycled at an intensity corresponding to 55% of [Formula: see text]O2max for 30 min in hot conditions (30 °C, 50% relative humidity). Chest and forearm sweat rate (SR) and skin blood flow (SkBF), were measured continuously. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated by SkBF/mean arterial pressure (MAP). RESULTS: Prior to exercise, plasma [Formula: see text] (21 ± 6 and 581 ± 161 µM) and nitrite ([Formula: see text], 87 ± 28 and 336 ± 156 nM) concentrations were higher after BR compared to PL supplementation (P ≤ 0.011, n = 6). Oesophageal, mean skin, and mean body temperatures during exercise were not different between conditions. In addition, BR supplementation did not affect SR, SkBF, and CVC during exercise. A lower MAP was found after 30 min of exercise following BR supplementation (112 ± 6 and 103 ± 6 mmHg for PL and BR, respectively, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inorganic [Formula: see text] supplementation, which increases the potential for O2-independent NO production, does not affect local sweating and cutaneous vascular responses, but attenuates blood pressure in young healthy subjects exercising in a hot environment.

Validity of Treadmill-Derived Critical Speed on Predicting 5000-Meter Track-Running Performance.

Nimmerichter, A, Novak, N, Triska, C, Prinz, B, and Breese, BC. Validity of treadmill-derived critical speed on predicting 5,000-meter track-running performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 706-714, 2017-To evaluate 3 models of critical speed (CS) for the prediction of 5,000-m running performance, 16 trained athletes completed an incremental test on a treadmill to determine maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and 3 randomly ordered runs to exhaustion at the [INCREMENT]70% intensity, at 110% and 98% of MAS. Critical speed and the distance covered above CS (D') were calculated using the hyperbolic speed-time (HYP), the linear distance-time (LIN), and the linear speed inverse-time model (INV). Five thousand meter performance was determined on a 400-m running track. Individual predictions of 5,000-m running time (t = [5,000-D']/CS) and speed (s = D'/t + CS) were calculated across the 3 models in addition to multiple regression analyses. Prediction accuracy was assessed with the standard error of estimate (SEE) from linear regression analysis and the mean difference expressed in units of measurement and coefficient of variation (%). Five thousand meter running performance (speed: 4.29 ± 0.39 m·s; time: 1,176 ± 117 seconds) was significantly better than the predictions from all 3 models (p < 0.0001). The mean difference was 65-105 seconds (5.7-9.4%) for time and -0.22 to -0.34 m·s (-5.0 to -7.5%) for speed. Predictions from multiple regression analyses with CS and D' as predictor variables were not significantly different from actual running performance (-1.0 to 1.1%). The SEE across all models and predictions was approximately 65 seconds or 0.20 m·s and is therefore considered as moderate. The results of this study have shown the importance of aerobic and anaerobic energy system contribution to predict 5,000-m running performance. Using estimates of CS and D' is valuable for predicting performance over race distances of 5,000 m.

Influence of thigh activation on the VO2 slow component in boys and men.

PURPOSE: During constant work rate exercise above the lactate threshold (LT), the initial rapid phase of pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics is supplemented by an additional VO2 slow component (VO2Sc) which reduces the efficiency of muscular work. The VO2Sc amplitude has been shown to increase with maturation but the mechanisms are poorly understood. We utilized the transverse relaxation time (T2) of muscle protons from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to test the hypothesis that a lower VO2 slow component (VO2Sc) amplitude in children would be associated with a reduced muscle recruitment compared to adults. METHODS: Eight boys (mean age 11.4 ± 0.4) and eight men (mean age 25.3 ± 3.3 years) completed repeated step transitions of unloaded-to-very heavy-intensity (U → VH) exercise on a cycle ergometer. MRI scans of the thigh region were acquired at rest and after VH exercise up to the VO2Sc time delay (ScTD) and after 6 min. T2 for each of eight muscles was adjusted in relation to cross-sectional area and then summed to provide the area-weighted ΣT2 as an index of thigh recruitment. RESULTS: There were no child/adult differences in the relative VO2Sc amplitude [Boys 14 ± 7 vs. Men 18 ± 3 %, P = 0.15, effect size (ES) = 0.8] during which the change (∆) in area-weighted ΣT2 between the ScTD and 6 min was not different between groups (Boys 1.6 ± 1.2 vs. Men 2.3 ± 1.1 ms, P = 0.27, ES = 0.6). A positive and strong correlation was found between the relative VO2Sc amplitude and the magnitude of the area-weighted ∆ΣT2 in men (r = 0.92, P = 0.001) but not in boys (r = 0.09, P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence to show that progressive muscle recruitment (as inferred from T2 changes) contributes to the development of the VO2Sc during intense submaximal exercise independent of age.

Beetroot juice supplementation speeds O2 uptake kinetics and improves exercise tolerance during severe-intensity exercise initiated from an elevated metabolic rate.

Recent research has suggested that dietary nitrate (NO3(-)) supplementation might alter the physiological responses to exercise via specific effects on type II muscle. Severe-intensity exercise initiated from an elevated metabolic rate would be expected to enhance the proportional activation of higher-order (type II) muscle fibers. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to test the hypothesis that, compared with placebo (PL), NO3(-)-rich beetroot juice (BR) supplementation would speed the phase II VO2 kinetics (τ(p)) and enhance exercise tolerance during severe-intensity exercise initiated from a baseline of moderate-intensity exercise. Nine healthy, physically active subjects were assigned in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design to receive BR (140 ml/day, containing ~8 mmol of NO3(-)) and PL (140 ml/day, containing ~0.003 mmol of NO3(-)) for 6 days. On days 4, 5, and 6 of the supplementation periods, subjects completed a double-step exercise protocol that included transitions from unloaded to moderate-intensity exercise (U→M) followed immediately by moderate to severe-intensity exercise (M→S). Compared with PL, BR elevated resting plasma nitrite concentration (PL: 65 ± 32 vs. BR: 348 ± 170 nM, P < 0.01) and reduced the VO2 τ(p) in M→S (PL: 46 ± 13 vs. BR: 36 ± 10 s, P < 0.05) but not U→M (PL: 25 ± 4 vs. BR: 27 ± 6 s, P > 0.05). During M→S exercise, the faster VO2 kinetics coincided with faster near-infrared spectroscopy-derived muscle [deoxyhemoglobin] kinetics (τ; PL: 20 ± 9 vs. BR: 10 ± 3 s, P < 0.05) and a 22% greater time-to-task failure (PL: 521 ± 158 vs. BR: 635 ± 258 s, P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with NO3(-)-rich BR juice speeds VO2 kinetics and enhances exercise tolerance during severe-intensity exercise when initiated from an elevated metabolic rate.

The effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on the spatial heterogeneity of quadriceps deoxygenation during heavy-intensity cycling.

This study investigated the influence of dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3-) supplementation on pulmonary O2 uptake (V˙O2) and muscle deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin (i.e. deoxy [Hb + Mb]) kinetics during submaximal cycling exercise. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, eight healthy and physically active male subjects completed two step cycle tests at a work rate equivalent to 50% of the difference between the gas exchange threshold and peak V˙O2 over separate 4-day supplementation periods with NO3--rich (BR; providing 8.4 mmol NO3-∙day-1) and NO3--depleted (placebo; PLA) beetroot juice. Pulmonary V˙O2 was measured breath-by-breath and time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy was utilized to quantify absolute deoxy [Hb + Mb] and total [Hb + Mb] within the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the primary deoxy [Hb + Mb] mean response time or amplitude between the PLA and BR trials at each muscle site. BR significantly increased the mean (three-site) end-exercise deoxy [Hb + Mb] (PLA: 91 ± 9 vs. BR: 95 ± 12 µmol/L, P < 0.05), with a tendency to increase the mean (three-site) area under the curve for total [Hb + Mb] responses (PLA: 3650 ± 1188 vs. BR: 4467 ± 1315 µmol/L sec-1, P = 0.08). The V˙O2 slow component reduction after BR supplementation (PLA: 0.27 ± 0.07 vs. BR: 0.23 ± 0.08 L min-1, P = 0.07) correlated inversely with the mean increases in deoxy [Hb + Mb] and total [Hb + Mb] across the three muscle regions (r2 = 0.62 and 0.66, P < 0.05). Dietary NO3- supplementation increased O2 diffusive conductance across locomotor muscles in association with improved V˙O2 dynamics during heavy-intensity cycling transitions.

Inorganic nitrate supplementation improves muscle oxygenation, O2 uptake kinetics, and exercise tolerance at high but not low pedal rates.

We tested the hypothesis that inorganic nitrate (NO3 (-)) supplementation would improve muscle oxygenation, pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇o2) kinetics, and exercise tolerance (Tlim) to a greater extent when cycling at high compared with low pedal rates. In a randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study, seven subjects (mean ± SD, age 21 ± 2 yr, body mass 86 ± 10 kg) completed severe-intensity step cycle tests at pedal cadences of 35 rpm and 115 rpm during separate nine-day supplementation periods with NO3 (-)-rich beetroot juice (BR) (providing 8.4 mmol NO3 (-)/day) and placebo (PLA). Compared with PLA, plasma nitrite concentration increased 178% with BR (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in muscle oxyhemoglobin concentration ([O2Hb]), phase II V̇o2 kinetics, or Tlim between BR and PLA when cycling at 35 rpm (P > 0.05). However, when cycling at 115 rpm, muscle [O2Hb] was higher at baseline and throughout exercise, phase II V̇o2 kinetics was faster (47 ± 16 s vs. 61 ± 25 s; P < 0.05), and Tlim was greater (362 ± 137 s vs. 297 ± 79 s; P < 0.05) with BR compared with PLA. These results suggest that short-term BR supplementation can increase muscle oxygenation, expedite the adjustment of oxidative metabolism, and enhance exercise tolerance when cycling at a high, but not a low, pedal cadence in healthy recreationally active subjects. These findings support recent observations that NO3 (-) supplementation may be particularly effective at improving physiological and functional responses in type II muscle fibers.

The effect of baseline metabolic rate on pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics during very heavy intensity exercise in boys and men.

This study tested the hypothesis that pulmonary VO2 kinetics would be slowed during 'work-to-work' exercise in adults but not in children. Eight boys (mean age=12.5 ± 0.5 years) and nine men completed very heavy step transitions initiated from either 'unloaded' pedalling (U→VH) or unloaded-to-moderate cycling (i.e. U→M to M→VH). The phase II τ was significantly (p<0.05) lengthened in M→VH compared to U→M and U→VH in boys (30 ± 5 vs. 19 ± 5 vs. 21 ± 5 s) and men (49 ± 14 vs. 30 ± 5 vs. 34 ± 8 s). In U→VH, a greater relative VO2 slow component temporally coincided with an increased linear iEMG slope in men compared boys (VO2 slow component: 16 ± 3 vs. 11 ± 4%; iEMG slope: 0.19 ± 0.24 vs. -0.06 ± 0.14%, p<0.05). These results suggest that an age-linked modulation of VO2 kinetics might be influenced by alterations in muscle fibre recruitment following the onset of exercise.

The effect of pedal rate on pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics during very heavy intensity exercise in trained and untrained teenage boys.

This study tested the hypothesis that the VO2 kinetic response would be slowed in untrained (UT) but not trained (T) teenage participants whilst cycling at 115 rev min(-1) compared to 50 rev min(-1). Eight UT and seven T boys completed two square-wave transitions to very heavy-intensity exercise pedalling at 50 rev min(-1) and 115 rev min(-1). In UT at the higher pedal rate, the phase II VO2 was significantly (P < 0.01) slower (50 rev min(-1): 32 ± 5 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 42 ± 11 s) and the relative VO2 slow component was significantly (P < 0.01) elevated (50 rev min(-1): 10 ± 3 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 16 ± 5%). The phase II VO2 (50 rev min(-1): 26 ± 4 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 22 ± 6s) and relative VO2 slow component (50 rev min(-1): 14 ± 5 vs. 115 rev min(-1): 17 ± 3%) were unaltered by pedal rate in T (P > 0.05). These data are consistent with the notion that VO2 kinetics are influenced by muscle fibre recruitment in youth but this effect is attenuated in endurance trained teenage boys.

Longitudinal changes in the oxygen uptake kinetic response to heavy-intensity exercise in 14- to 16-year-old boys.

This study examined longitudinal changes in the pulmonary oxygen uptake (pVO(2)) kinetic response to heavy-intensity exercise in 14-16 yr old boys. Fourteen healthy boys (age 14.1 +/- 0.2 yr) completed exercise testing on two occasions with a 2-yr interval. Each participant completed a minimum of three 'step' exercise transitions, from unloaded pedalling to a constant work rate corresponding to 40% of the difference between the pVO(2) at the gas exchange threshold and peak pVO(2) (40% Delta). Over the 2-yr period a significant increase in the phase II time constant (25 +/- 5 vs. 30 +/- 5 s; p = .002, omega(2) = 0.34), the relative amplitude of the pVO(2) slow component (9 +/- 5 vs. 13 +/- 4%; p = .036, omega(2) = 0.14) and the pVO(2) gain at end-exercise (11.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 12.4 +/- 0.7 mL x min(-1) x W(-1); p < .001, omega(2) = 0.42) were observed. These data indicate that the control of oxidative phosphorylation in response to heavy-intensity cycling exercise is age-dependent in teenage boys.