V̇ o2 peak Comparison of a Treadmill Vs. Cycling Protocol in Elite Teenage Competitive Runners, Cyclists, and Swimmers.

ABSTRACT: Marko, D, Bahenský, P, Snarr, RL, and Malátová, R. V̇ o2 peak Comparison of a treadmill vs. cycling protocol in elite teenage competitive runners, cyclists, and swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2875-2882, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses of a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a treadmill and cycle ergometer in elite-level, youth competitive athletes. Thirty-one athletes (11 distance runners, 11 mountain-bike cyclists, and 9 long-distance swimmers) were randomly selected to complete either a running or cycling GXT on the first day, followed by the alternative 72 hours apart. The initial work rate for each GXT was set at 50% of the individuals' previously established V̇ o2 peak to elicit fatigue within 8-12 minutes. For the treadmill protocol, speed was increased by 1 km·h -1 each minute, with a constant 5% grade, until volitional fatigue. Cycle ergometer work rate was increased by 30 W every minute until volitional fatigue or the inability to maintain proper cadence (i.e., 100 ± 5 rev·min -1 ). Throughout both testing sessions, V̇ o2 peak, heart rate [HR] peak, breathing frequency (BF), tidal volume (V T ), and minute ventilation (V E ) were assessed and used to compare within-sport differences. Runners displayed a higher V̇ o2 peak (∼7%; d = 0.92), HRpeak (4%; d = 0.77), V E (6%; d = 0.66), and BF (12%; d = 0.62) on the treadmill vs. cycle. However, the cycling group demonstrated a greater V̇ o2 peak (∼8%; d = 0.92), V T (∼14%; d = 0.99), and V E (∼9%; d = 0.78) on the cycle, despite no change in HRpeak. For swimmers, the treadmill GXT elicited higher values in V̇ o2 peak (∼5%; d = 0.75), BF (∼11.5%; d = 0.78), and HRpeak (3%; d = 0.69). Collectively, these findings indicate that exercise mode may greatly affect physiological outcome variables and should be considered before exercise prescription and athletic monitoring.

Impact of a Breathing Intervention on Engagement of Abdominal, Thoracic, and Subclavian Musculature during Exercise, a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Breathing technique may influence endurance exercise performance by reducing overall breathing work and delaying respiratory muscle fatigue. We investigated whether a two-month yoga-based breathing intervention could affect breathing characteristics during exercise. METHODS: Forty-six endurance runners (age = 16.6 ± 1.2 years) were randomized to either a breathing intervention or control group. The contribution of abdominal, thoracic, and subclavian musculature to respiration and ventilation parameters during three different intensities on a cycle ergometer was assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Post-intervention, abdominal, thoracic, and subclavian ventilatory contributions were altered at 2 W·kg-1 (27:23:50 to 31:28:41), 3 W·kg-1 (26:22:52 to 28:31:41), and 4 W·kg-1 (24:24:52 to 27:30:43), whereas minimal changes were observed in the control group. More specifically, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in abdominal contribution was observed at rest and during low intensity work (i.e., 2 and 3 W·kg-1), and a decrease in respiratory rate and increase of tidal volume were observed in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight an increased reliance on more efficient abdominal and thoracic musculature, and less recruitment of subclavian musculature, in young endurance athletes during exercise following a two-month yoga-based breathing intervention. More efficient ventilatory muscular recruitment may benefit endurance performance by reducing energy demand and thus optimize energy requirements for mechanical work.

Dynamics of ventilation parameters at different load intensities and the options to influence it by a breathing exercise.

BACKGROUND: Minimizing the energy required for breathing muscles is based on the adaptation of the respiratory muscles which is reflected in the reduction of breathing frequency (BF) and tidal volume (VT) increase. This may be influenced through a targeted BE and the quality of breathing may be linked to endurance performance. Aim of this study was assess dynamic ventilation parameters at different load intensities and their changes due to the systematic breathing exercise (BE). METHODS: Study recruit 36 runners of both sexes with a mean age 16.8±1.6 years. A random distribution was performed. The intervention program consisted of a set of BE aimed at the activation of the diaphragm. We monitored the dynamics of ventilation parameters at intensities 2, 3, 4 W/kg during a stepped test on a bicycle ergometer. RESULTS: The BE was focused on the activation of the diaphragm for a 12.2±3.6 minutes per day, sixteen weeks. After eight weeks, there were significant changes in VT and BF (P<0.05). After sixteen weeks there was a significant increase in VT of 5.7-18.3% (P<0.01), depending on the load level, BF values decreased significantly by 5.4-14.4% (P<0.01). VE and VO2 values were without changes. There were no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that the two-month BE intervention focused on the activation of the diaphragm is sufficient and resulted in a significant change in the values of dynamic ventilation parameters. After four months of intervention, the changes are significantly greater compared with values found after a two-month intervention period.

Changed dynamic ventilation parameters as a result of a breathing exercise intervention program.

BACKGROUND: The performance of the respiratory system during the exercise is limiting the final performance in endurance disciplines. The quality of breathing is linked to endurance performance, subject´s training state, intensity and duration of the physical load, the implementation of which, thus the economy of breathing, is possible to influence through a targeted breathing exercise. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of breathing intervention exercises on the effectiveness of breathing by monitoring value of tidal volume (VT) and breathing frequency (BF) during an endurance type load in adolescent endurance runners. METHODS: Thirty-seven 37 adolescent endurance runners were enrolled in this study. The girls were 16.79±1.51 years old, the boys were 16.5±1.8 years old. They are involved in endurance training for at least one year. Twenty-one probands took part in the intervention scheme; sixteen probands formed the control group. The study investigated the effect of two months and four months of breathing exercise intervention on tidal volume VT and BF. RESULTS: The probands carried out breathing exercises, which took an average of 13.1±3.7 minutes per day over the first two months, and an average of 11.1±3.9 minutes per day over the next two months. The breathing economy was significantly changed as a result of respiratory exercise intervention. Already after 2 months of intervention there was a significant decrease of BF (by 5.92%) and a significant increase of VT (by 4.44%). After another 2 months, the changes were even more pronounced. In the 4 months of the intervention, the BF decreased by 11.47% and the VT increased by 10.96% in comparison to the original state. In the control group, there were no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that the two-month breathing exercise intervention focused on the activation of the diaphragm is sufficient and resulted in significant changes of in VT and BF.

Technical means for objectification of medical treatments in the area of the deep stabilisation spinal system.

Information regarding two versions of an instrument called a muscle dynamometer, which enables detailed information about muscle activity in the deep stabilisation spinal system (DSSS), presented in this article. The MD01 (muscle dynamometer ver. 01) is a simple electromechanical instrument that allows measurement of muscle activity in two areas of the lumbar spine region. Measurements on patients have confirmed the usefulness of quantifying the initial state of a patient before rehabilitation as well as monitoring rehabilitation treatment; the MD01 is a suitable device for obtaining these measurements. However, a new and improved version of the MD01, the MD02, has been developed. The MD02 allows measurements in four different body regions and now has a PC interface, which allows achieving of patient information and data export for use with statistical software.

The objectification of therapeutical methods used for improvement of the deep stabilizing spinal system.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the ever ongoing development in the examination procedures, it is still impossible to exactly diagnose a large percentage of patients with vertebral and back (low-back and neck) pains. This is due to an insufficiently clear connection between symptoms, pathological changes and results from the imaging techniques. Besides a morphological and neurological examination, a grave diagnostic attention should be given to a possible muscular dysfunction. A simple electromechanical device called muscle dynamometer (MD01) has been constructed for the purpose of enabling to effortlessly, objectively and precisely examine the muscle power-output in the lumbar spine area and reveal a possible, often found and therapeutically treated, dysfunction of the deep stabilizing spine system (DSSS). METHODS: The six-week-rehabilitation-course, aimed at correcting the body posture and strengthening the DSSS muscles, during which two groups of healthy adolescents (girls and boys, aged 12-16) have been obtained. RESULTS: The statistically significant change (p<0.001) between the values of input and output measurements of the condition of DSSS. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of therapeutical training is confirmed and the objectification of the condition of the DSSS muscles by means of the muscle dynamometer (MD01) is verified.

The use of muscle dynamometer for correction of muscle imbalances in the area of deep stabilising spine system.

Dorsal pain caused by spine dysfunctions belongs to most frequent chronic illnesses. The muscles of the deep stabilising spine system work as a single functional unit where a dysfunction of only one muscle causes dysfunction of the whole system. Non-invasive, objective and statistically measurable evaluation of the condition of deep stabilising spine system has been made possible by the construction of muscular dynamometer. The aim of our work has been the assessment of deep stabilising spine system by diaphragm test and muscular dynamometer measurements. Based on an initial examination, a 6-week intervention programme was established including instructions on physiological body posture and correct basic body stabilisation for the given exercises and muscle strengthening. Consecutive measurements are then compared with the initial ones. It was presumed that a smaller number of the tested subjects would be able to correctly activate the deep stabilising spine system muscles before the intervention programme when compared to those after the intervention programme. A positive change of 87% has been found. It is clear that if a person actively approaches the programme, then positive adaptation changes on the deep stabilising spine system are seen only after 6 weeks. With the muscular dynamometer, activation of deep stabilising spine system can be objectively measured. Changes between the initial condition of a subject and the difference after some exercise or rehabilitation are especially noticeable. Also, the effect of given therapy or correct performance of the exercise can be followed and observed.