The Effects of a 90-km Outdoor Cycling Ride on Performance Outcomes Derived From Ramp-Incremental and 3-Minute All-Out Tests.

ABSTRACT: Bitel, M, Keir, DA, Grossman, K, Barnes, M, Murias, JM, and Belfry, GR. The effects of a 90-km outdoor cycling ride on performance outcomes derived from ramp-incremental and 3-minute all-out tests. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 540-548, 2024-The purpose of this study was to determine whether laboratory-derived exercise intensity and performance demarcations are altered after prolonged outdoor cycling. Male recreational cyclists ( n = 10; RIDE) performed an exhaustive ramp-incremental test (RAMP) and a 3-minute all-out test (3MT) on a cycle ergometer before and after a 90-km cycling ride. RAMP-derived maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ), gas exchange threshold (GET), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and associated power output (PO), as well as 3MT-derived critical power (CP) and work performed above CP, were compared before and after ∼3 hours of outdoor cycling. Six active men served as "no-exercise" healthy controls (CON), who, instead, rested for 3 hours between repeated RAMP and 3MT tests. During the 90-km ride, the duration within the moderate-intensity, heavy-intensity, and severe-intensity domains was 59 ± 24%, 40 ± 24%, and 1 ± 1%, respectively. Compared with pre-90 km, post-RAMP exhibited reductions in (a) V̇O 2max (4.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.80 ± 0.38 L·min -1 ; p = 0.026) and associated PO (392 ± 30 W vs. 357 ± 26 W; p = 0.002); (b) the V̇O 2 and PO at RCP (3.49 ± 0.46 vs. 3.34 ± 0.43 L·min -1 ; p = 0.040 and 312 ± 40 W vs. 292 ± 24 W; p = 0.023); and (c) the PO (214 ± 32 W vs. 198 ± 25 W; p = 0.027), but not the V̇O 2 at GET (2.52 ± 0.44 vs. 2.44 ± 0.38 L·min -1 ; p = 0.388). Pre-90 km vs. post-90 km 3MT variables showed reduced W' (9.8 ± 3.4 vs. 6.8 ± 2.6 kJ; p = 0.002) and unchanged CP (304 ± 26 W and 297 ± 34 W; p = 0.275). In the CON group, there were no differences in V̇O 2max , GET, RCP, W', CP, or associated power outputs ( p > 0.05) pre-to-post 3 hours of rest. The preservation of critical power demonstrates that longer-duration maximal efforts may be sustained after long-duration cycle. However, shorter sprints and higher-intensity efforts eliciting V̇O 2max will exhibit decreased PO after 3 hours of a predominantly moderate-intensity cycle.

"Older, Faster, Stronger": The Multiple Benefits of Masters Sport Participation.

While masters sport aligns with the holistic concept of active aging, related research has focused predominantly on the physical domain, and less is known about the psychological, cognitive, and social benefits of older adults' participation. This study examined, in combination, the perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits of training and competing as a masters athlete, while considering age and gender differences. Forty masters athletes residing in Canada were interviewed (21 men and 19 women; 15 who were 50-64 years and 25 who were 65-79 years), representing 15 different sports. Interviews were coded both deductively and inductively, revealing several subthemes of benefits for the broader perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits, with few but notable differences between women and men, and those younger than 65 years and those 65+ years. Our findings provide new insights into the positive experiences of active aging associated with high levels of physical activity among older adults, such as greater self-confidence, especially for women, comradery, and feeling mentally sharper, especially for the older age group.

'Delaying' a saccade: Preparatory phase cortical hemodynamics evince the neural cost of response inhibition.

Minimally delayed (MD) saccades require inhibition of a prepotent response until a target is extinguished, and unlike the more extensively studied antisaccade task, do not require the additional cognitive component of vector inversion (i.e., 180° target spatial transposition). Here, participants completed separate blocks of MD and prepotent stimulus-driven saccades (i.e., respond at target onset) while cortical hemodynamics were measured via functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound. MD saccades produced longer and more variable reaction times (RT). In turn, MD and stimulus-driven saccade preparatory phase cortical hemodynamics increased and decreased, respectively, relative to baseline and the two conditions differed from one another throughout the preparatory phase. The longer RTs and increased cortical hemodynamics of MD saccades is taken to evince response complexity and the increased neural activity to accommodate response inhibition. To our knowledge, such findings provide the first work to examine the neural foundations of MD saccades.

Increased cerebral blood flow supports a single-bout postexercise benefit to executive function: evidence from hypercapnia.

A single bout of aerobic exercise improves executive function; however, the mechanism for the improvement remains unclear. One proposal asserts that an exercise-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) enhances the efficiency of executive-related cortical structures. To examine this, participants completed separate 10-min sessions of moderate- to heavy-intensity aerobic exercise, a hypercapnic environment (i.e., 5% CO2), and a nonexercise and nonhypercapnic control condition. The hypercapnic condition was included because it produces an increase in CBF independent of metabolic demands. An estimate of CBF was achieved via transcranial Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy that provided measures of middle cerebral artery blood velocity (BV) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), respectively. Exercise intensity was adjusted to match participant-specific changes in BV and HHb associated with the hypercapnic condition. Executive function was assessed before and after each session via antisaccades (i.e., saccade mirror-symmetrical to a target) because the task is mediated via the same executive networks that demonstrate task-dependent modulation following single and chronic bouts of aerobic exercise. Results showed that hypercapnic and exercise conditions were associated with comparable BV and HHb changes, whereas the control condition did not produce a change in either metric. In terms of antisaccade performance, the exercise and hypercapnic, but not control, conditions demonstrated improved postcondition reaction times (RT), and the magnitude of the hypercapnic and exercise-based increase in estimated CBF was reliably related to the postcondition improvement in RT. Accordingly, results evince that an increase in CBF represents a candidate mechanism for a postexercise improvement in executive function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Single-bout aerobic exercise "boosts" executive function, and increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) has been proposed as a mechanism for the benefit. In this study, participants completed 10 min of aerobic exercise and 10 min of inhaling a hypercapnic gas, a manipulation known to increase CBF independently of metabolic demands. Both exercise and hypercapnic conditions improved executive function for at least 20 min. Accordingly, an increase in CBF is a candidate mechanism for the postexercise improvement in executive function.

A single bout of moderate intensity exercise improves cognitive flexibility: evidence from task-switching.

Executive function entails the core components of response  inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility. An accumulating literature has shown that a single bout of exercise improves the response inhibition  and working memory components of executive function; however, limited work has examined a putative exercise-related improvement to cognitive flexibility. To address this limitation, Experiment 1 entailed a 20-min session of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (via cycle ergometer), and pre- and post-exercise cognitive flexibility was examined via a task-switching paradigm involving alternating pro- and antisaccades (AABB: A = prosaccade, B = antisaccade). In Experiment 2, participants sat on the cycle ergometer without exercising (i.e., rest break) and the same AABB paradigm was examined pre- and post-break. We used an AABB pro- and antisaccade paradigm because previous work has shown that a prosaccade preceded by an antisaccade exhibits a reliable-and large magnitude-increase in reaction time, whereas the converse switch does not (i.e., the unidirectional prosaccade switch-cost). Experiment 1 showed a unidirectional prosaccade switch-cost pre-exercise (p = .012)-but not post-exercise (p = .30), and a two one-sided t test indicated that the latter comparison was within an equivalence boundary (p < .01). In contrast, Experiment 2 revealed a unidirectional prosaccade switch-cost at pre- and post-break assessments (ps < .01). Accordingly, our results indicate that a single bout of exercise improves cognitive flexibility and provides convergent evidence that exercise improves global components of executive function.

Physiological resolution of periodic breath holding during heavy-intensity Fartlek exercise.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare the singular and combined effects of 5 s breath holds (BH) and 5 s sprints, every 30 s, during continuous high-intensity exercise, on ventilation ([Formula: see text]), oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2) and associated kinetics (τ), carbon dioxide production ([Formula: see text]CO2), and arterialized-capillary lactate concentration ([La-]). METHODS: Ten men (24 ± 3 years) performed 4-6 min ergometer protocols that included a step-transition from 20 W to a power output of 50% of the difference between lactate threshold and [Formula: see text]O2 peak (Δ50%) including: (1) a continuous protocol (CONT) with free breathing, (2) an intermittent BH protocol (CONT-BH); repeated cycles of 5 s BH: 25 s free breathing, (3) a Fartlek protocol (Fartlek); repeated 5 s at peak aerobic power output: 25 s at Δ50%; (4) combining the 5 s Fartlek and CONT-BH protocol (Fartlek-BH). Breath-by-breath gas exchange, measured by mass spectrometry and turbine, was recorded. RESULTS: [Formula: see text] E (L min-1) was greater (p < 0.05) than CONT (90 ± 7) in all conditions CONT-BH (98 ± 16), Fartlek (105 ± 10), and Fartlek-BH (101 ± 19). [Formula: see text]O2 and [Formula: see text]CO2 (L min-1) were unchanged in CONT-BH (2.73 ± 0.14 and 3.16 ± 0.38) and greater in Fartlek (2.85 ± 0.12 and 3.43 ± 0.16), compared to CONT (2.71 ± 0.12 and 3.12 ± 0.13). Whereas, [Formula: see text]CO2 during Fartlek-BH was higher (3.28 ± 0.35) and [Formula: see text]O2 was unchanged (2.73 ± 0.14). Fartlek-BH resulted in slower [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics (62.2 ± 19 s) and greater blood lactate concentrations (11.5 ± 2.7 mM), compared to CONT (48.8 ± 12 s; 9.0 ± 2.3 mM, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that the CONT-BH resulted in increased ventilation that sustained [Formula: see text]O2. However, [Formula: see text]O2 was restricted when an additional work was combined with the BH condition.

Correction to: Physiological resolution of periodic breath holding during heavy-intensity Fartlek exercise.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Effects of Two Different Weight Training Programs on Swimming Performance and Muscle Enzyme Activities and Fiber Type.

The effects of 2 different weight training programs incorporating bench press (BP) and pullover (PO) exercises on swimming performance, power, enzyme activity, and fiber type distribution were studied on 16 men (age = 23 ± 4 years). A 30-second group (n = 6) performed up to 20 repetitions of BP and PO in 30 seconds. The 2-minute group (n = 6) performed a maximum of 80 repetitions of BP and PO in 2 minutes. As participants reached the prescribed 20 or 80 repetitions, the weight was increased 4.5 kg. A third group (n = 4) served as nontraining controls. Exercise groups trained 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Maximal effort swims of 50 and 200 yd were performed before and after training. Training resulted in increases in work on both exercises in both groups pre- to post-training (BP 30 seconds, 722 ± 236-895 ± 250 kg; PO 30 seconds, 586 ± 252-1,090 ± 677 kg; and BP 2 minutes, 1,530 ± 414-1,940 ± 296; PO 2 minutes, 1,212 ± 406-2,348 ± 194, p ≤ 0.05). Swim performances of the 30-second group improved for both the 50-yd (32.0 ± 6.9 seconds, 30.0 ± 5.9 seconds, p ≤ 0.05) and 200-yd swims 200.0 ± 54 seconds, 182 ± 45.1 seconds (p ≤ 0.05), whereas 2-minute training improved only the 200-yd swim (198.3 ± 32.3 seconds, 186.2 ± 32.2 seconds). No changes in swim performance were observed for the control group. Triceps muscle succinate dehydrogenase activities increased (pre 3.48 ± 1.1 µmol · g(-1) wet weight per minute, post 6.25 ± 1.5 µmoles · g(-1) wet weight per minute, p ≤ 0.05) in only the 30-second training group, whereas phosphofructokinase activities and fiber type distribution did not change in either training group. This study has demonstrated that a 30-second 20-repetition weight training program, specific to the swimming musculature without concurrent swim training, improves swimming performances at both 50- and 200-yd distances.

Effects of Novel Supramaximal Interval Training Versus Continuous Training on Performance in Preconditioned Collegiate, National, and International Class Rowers.

This investigation compared supramaximal oxygen uptake interval training with continuous training in collegiate, national, and international class rowers. It was hypothesized that 6 supramaximal intensity sessions over 11 days would increase power on selected power measures. After 8 weeks of training for a new season, 10 heavyweight and 6 lightweight rowers were randomized into 2 groups. A ramp test to limit of tolerance to determine peak aerobic power (6 females: 25 W·min; 10 males: 30 W·min) and an all-out 3-minute test to determine peak power, 60-second power, critical power, and work above critical power (W') were performed before and after training. A supramaximal training session consisted of 10 cycles of 10-second work (140% peak aerobic power):5-second recovery followed by 8 minutes of active recovery, and repeated 6 times. The continuous group performed predominantly moderate intensity (below lactate threshold) training. All training was performed on rowing ergometers. Critical power increased pre-to-post supramaximal (Δ7%) and continuous training (Δ9%), respectively (336 ± 59W to 360 ± 59W; 290 ± 73W to 316 ± 74W; p ≤ 0.05), whereas the mean power output from all performance measures increased only after supramaximal training (Δ7%) (464 ± 158W to 496 ± 184W; p ≤ 0.05). Testing also revealed decreased W' (Δ21%) and 60-second power (Δ4%) pre-to-post continuous training only (p ≤ 0.05). No differences (p > 0.05) in peak aerobic power or peak power were observed pre-to-post training in either group. In conclusion, after an 8-week preconditioning period, supramaximal interval training preserved anaerobic capacity compared with predominantly continuous training and elicited similar increases in critical power in rowers.

A Comparison of Methods to Identify the Mean Response Time of Ramp-Incremental Exercise for Exercise Prescription.

Introduction: The oxygen uptake (V˙O2) vs power output relationship from ramp incremental exercise is used to prescribe aerobic exercise. As power output increases, there is a delay in V˙O2 that contributes to a misalignment of V˙O2 from power output; the mean response time (MRT). If the MRT is not considered in exercise prescription, ramp incremental-identified power outputs will elicit V˙O2 values that are higher than intended. We compared three methods of determining MRT (exponential modeling (MRTEXP), linear modeling (MRTLIN), and the steady-state method (MRTSS)) and evaluated their accuracy at predicting the V˙O2 associated with power outputs approximating 75% and 85% of gas exchange threshold and 15% of the difference between gas exchange threshold and maximal V˙O2 (Δ15). Methods: Ten males performed a 30-W∙min-1 ramp incremental and three 30-min constant power output cycle ergometer trials with intensities at 75% gas exchange threshold, 85% gas exchange threshold, and ∆15. At each intensity, the measured steady-state V˙O2 during each 30-min test was compared to the V˙O2 predicted after adjustment by each of the three MRTs. Results: For all three MRT methods, predicted V˙O2 was not different (p = 1.000) from the measured V˙O2 at 75%GET (MRTEXP, 31 mL, MRTLIN, -35 mL, MRTSS 11 mL), 85%gas exchange threshold (MRTEXP -14 mL, MRTLIN -80 mL, MRTSS -32 mL). At Δ15, predicted V˙O2 based on MRTEXP was not different (p = .767) from the measured V˙O2, but was different for MRTLIN (p < .001) and MRTSS (p = .03). Conclusion: Given that the intensity is below gas exchange threshold, all model predictions implemented from the current study matched the exercise prescription.

The effects of short recovery duration on VO2 and muscle deoxygenation during intermittent exercise.

This study compared the oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and muscle deoxygenation (∆HHb) of two intermittent protocols to responses during continuous constant load cycle exercise in males (24 year ± 2, n = 7). Subjects performed three protocols: (1) 10 s work/5 s active recovery (R), R at 20 W (INT1): (2) 10 s work/5 s R, R at moderate intensity (INT2); and (3) continuous exercise (CONT), all for 10 min, on separate days. The work rate of CONT and the 10 s work of INT1 and INT2 were set within the heavy intensity domain. VO(2) and ∆HHb data were filtered and averaged to 5 s bins. Average VO(2) (80-420 s) was highest during CONT (3.77 L/min), lower in INT2 (3.04 L/min), and lowest during INT1 (2.81 L/min), all (p < 0.05). Average ∆HHb (80-420 s) was higher during CONT (p < 0.05) than both INT exercise protocols (CONT; 25.7 ± 0.9 a.u. INT1; 16.4 ± 0.8 a.u., and INT2; 15.8 ± 0.8 a.u.). The repeated changes in metabolic rate elicited oscillations in ΔHHb in both intermittent protocols, whereas oscillations in VO(2) were only observed during INT1. The greater ΔHHb during CONT suggests a reduction in oxygen delivery compared to oxygen consumption relative to INT. The higher VO(2) for INT 2 versus INT 1 and similar ΔHHb during INT suggests an increase in oxygen delivery during INT 2. Thus the different demands of INT1, INT2, and CONT protocols elicited differing physiological responses to a similar heavy intensity power output. These intermittent exercise models seem to elicit an elevated O(2) delivery condition compared to CONT.

Exercise intensity-specific changes to cerebral blood velocity do not modulate a postexercise executive function benefit.

Executive function is transiently improved (i.e., <60-min) following a single bout of aerobic exercise. A candidate mechanism for this improvement is an exercise-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Further, it has been proposed that an increase in CBF across the continuum of increasing exercise intensities improves the magnitude of a postexercise executive function benefit (i.e., drive theory); however, this proposal has not been empirically tested. Here, participants completed four experimental sessions: a V̇O2peak test to determine cardiorespiratory fitness and estimated lactate threshold (LT), followed by separate 10-min sessions of light- (i.e., 25 W), moderate- (i.e., 80% estimated LT), and heavy-intensity (i.e., 15% of the difference between LT and V̇O2peak) aerobic exercise. An estimate of CBF during exercise was achieved via transcranial Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify blood velocity (BV) through the middle cerebral artery and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), respectively. Executive function was assessed before and after each session via the executive-mediated antisaccade task (i.e., saccade mirror-symmetrical to a target). Results demonstrated that BV increased in relation to increasing exercise intensity, whereas HHb decreased by a comparable magnitude independent of intensity. In terms of executive function, null hypothesis and equivalence tests indicated a comparable magnitude postexercise reduction in antisaccade reaction time across exercise intensities. Accordingly, the magnitude of CBF change during exercise does not impact the magnitude of a postexercise executive function benefit.

Perceived Time, Frequency, and Intensity of Engagement and Older Masters Athletes' Subjective Experiences.

Masters athletes are a unique group of older adults whose experiences may provide valuable insights into the role of sport for successful aging. The purpose of this study was to explore whether masters athletes' social and psychological experiences vary with their time, frequency, and perceived exertion in training and competition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 men and women older masters athletes, aged 50-79 years (M = 66), who were active at the competitive level across a variety of sports (e.g., volleyball, curling, rowing, dragon boating, running, swimming, and basketball) at the time of the study. Results indicate that all participants experienced social and psychological benefits from engaging in masters sport. Only the high-frequency engagement subgroup (participating five to seven times per week in training and/or competition) reported social downsides, in terms of missing time with family and friends outside of masters sport. However, some participants described the positive family support (e.g., spouse who endorses sport participation) that overrides some of the social costs. These findings have implications for realizing positive experiences with minimal engagement in masters sport, yet an apparent threshold of participation beyond which negative social consequences may be experienced. This is an important consideration for the design and promotion of sport for older adults.

The Effect of Breathing Patterns Common to Competitive Swimming on Gas Exchange and Muscle Deoxygenation During Heavy-Intensity Fartlek Exercise.

During competitive freestyle swimming, the change of direction requires a turn followed by ∼15 m of underwater kicking at various intensities that require a ∼5 s breath-hold (BH). Upon surfacing, breathing must be regulated, as head rotation is necessary to facilitate the breath while completing the length of the pool (∼25 s). This study compared the respiratory and muscle deoxygenation responses of regulated breathing vs. free breathing, during these 25-5 s cycles. It was hypothesized that with the addition of a BH and sprint during heavy-intensity (HVY) exercise, oxygen uptake (VO2) and oxygen saturation (SatO2) would decrease, and muscle deoxygenation ([HHb]) and total hemoglobin ([Hbtot]) would increase. Ten healthy male participants (24 ± 3 years) performed 4-6 min trials of HVY cycling in the following conditions: (1) continuous free breathing (CONLD); (2) continuous with 5 s BH every 25 s (CONLD-BH); (3) Fartlek (FLK), a 5 s sprint followed by 25 s of HVY; and (4) a combined Fartlek and BH (FLK-BH). Continuous collection of VO2 and SatO2, [Hbtot], and [HHb] via breath-by-breath gas analysis and near-infrared spectroscopy (normalized to baseline) was performed. Breathing frequency and tidal volumes were matched between CONLD and CONLD-BH and between FLK and FLK-BH. As a result, VO2 was unchanged between CONLD (2.12 ± 0.35 L/min) and CONLD-BH (2.15 ± 0.42 L/min; p = 0.116) and between FLK (2.24 ± 0.40 L/min) and FLK-BH (2.20 ± 0.45 L/min; p = 0.861). SatO2 was higher in CONLD (63 ± 1.9%) than CONLD-BH (59 ± 3.3%; p < 0.001), but was unchanged between FLK (61 ± 2.2%) and FLK-BH (62 ± 3.1%; p = 0.462). Δ[Hbtot] is higher in CONLD (3.3 ± 1.6 µM) than CONLD-BH (-2.5 ± 1.2 µM; Δ177%; p < 0.001), but was unchanged between FLK (2.0 ± 1.6 µM) and FLK-BH (0.82 ± 1.4 µM; p = 0.979). Δ[HHb] was higher in CONLD (7.3 ± 1.8µM) than CONLD-BH (7.0 ± 2.0µM; Δ4%; p = 0.011) and lower in FLK (6.7 ± 1.8µM) compared to FLK-BH (8.7 ± 2.4 µM; p < 0.001). It is suggested that the unchanged VO2 between CONLD and CONLD-BH was supported by increased deoxygenation as reflected by decreased Δ[Hbtot] and blunted Δ[HHb], via apneic-driven redistribution of blood flow away from working muscles, which was reflected by the decreased SatO2. However, the preserved VO2 during FLK-BH vs. FLK has been underpinned by an increase in [HHb].

Exercise and Executive Function during Follicular and Luteal Menstrual Cycle Phases.

PURPOSE: A single bout of aerobic or resistance exercise improves executive function. We sought to determine whether menstrual cycle variations in ovarian hormone concentrations differentially influence the expression and/or magnitude of a postexercise executive benefit. METHODS: Eumenorrheic female participants completed 20-min single bouts of aerobic exercise (via cycle ergometer) at a moderate intensity (i.e., 80% of estimated lactate threshold) during the early follicular and midluteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Pre- and postexercise executive function was examined via antisaccades-an executive task requiring a saccade mirror-symmetrical to a visual stimulus. Antisaccades are an ideal tool for examining postexercise executive changes because the task is mediated via the same frontoparietal networks as modified following single-bout and chronic exercise. RESULTS: Antisaccade reaction times decreased from the pre- to postexercise assessments by an average of 22 ms (P = 0.003), and this benefit was independent of changes in directional errors or end point accuracy (P's > 0.26). In other words, participants did not decrease their postexercise reaction times at the cost of increased planning times or execution errors. Most notably, the postexercise antisaccade benefit did not vary in magnitude across follicular or luteal phases (P = 0.33) and a two one-sided test statistic (i.e., equivalence testing) provided support for the null hypothesis (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A postexercise executive benefit is independent of hormonal variations in the menstrual cycle. Further, our results evince that the phase of a female participant's menstrual cycle should not be a limiting factor in determining their inclusion in exercise neuroscience research.

High-Intensity 10-s Work: 5-s Recovery Intermittent Training Improves Anaerobic and Aerobic Performances.

Purpose and Methods: To compare the effects of a set of 12-30 min, maximal effort, constant load cycle bouts (HICT) to 12 short work: shorter rest (10 s: 5 s) interval sessions (INT) of similar duration and effort, performed on alternate days over 4 weeks, on performance and V̇O2 l.min-1. INT sessions consisted of repeated cycles of 10 s work followed by 5 s of recovery for 30 min. Fourteen male athletes (83 kg ± 6, 24year ± 2) were randomly assigned to HICT (n = 7) or INT (n = 7) training. Pre- and post-power output (PO), V̇O2 and V̇O2peak, during 60s, 3 min, and ramp (RAMP) tests were collected Results: Between group comparisons showed increased mean PO, pre- to post-INT training (p = .026) over the last min of the 3-min test whereas PO post-HICT training declined. INT showed greater training effects on the 60 s test than HCIT (INT 506 ± 45 to 535 ± 55 W; p = .002, Cd = .57; HCIT 513 ± 78 to 548 ± 83 W; p = .02, Cd = 27). RAMP peak PO and V̇O2peak increased within both groups (INT 341 ± 63 to 370 ± 48 W, p = .002, Cd = 0.52; HICT 332 ± 45 to 353 ± 44 W, p = .006, Cd = .53; 3.73 ± 0.68 to 4.06 ± 0.63 L·min-1, p = .001, Cd = .50; 3.75 ± 0.62 to 4.09 ± 0.52 L·min-1, p = .002, Cd = .59). Conclusion(s): These results show that utilizing this novel short work: shorter rest (10 s: 5 s) interval training paradigm will elicit better performances in moderate duration performances compared to continuous training of the same duration, effort, and frequency.

Older adults elicit a single-bout post-exercise executive benefit across a continuum of aerobically supported metabolic intensities.

Ten minutes of aerobic or resistance training can 'boost' executive function in older adults. Here, we examined whether the magnitude of the exercise benefit is influenced by exercise intensity. Older adults (N = 17: mean age = 73 years) completed a volitional test to exhaustion (VO2peak) via treadmill to determine participant-specific moderate (80% of lactate threshold (LT)), heavy (15% of the difference between LT and VO2peak) and very-heavy (50% of the difference between LT and VO2peak) exercise intensities. Subsequently, in separate sessions all participants completed 10-min constant load single-bouts of exercise at each intensity. Pre- and post-exercise executive function were examined via the antisaccade task. Antisaccades require a saccade mirror-symmetrical to a target and extensive evidence has shown that antisaccades are supported via frontoparietal networks that demonstrate task-dependent changes following single-bout and chronic exercise. We also included a non-executive task (saccade to veridical target location; i.e., prosaccade) to determine whether a putative post-exercise benefit is specific to executive-related oculomotor control. Results showed that VO2 and psychological ratings of perceived exertion concurrently increased with increasing exercise intensity. As well, antisaccade reaction times showed a 24 ms (i.e., 8%) reduction from pre- to post-exercise assessments (p < .001), whereas prosaccade values did not (p = .19). Most notably, the post-exercise change in antisaccade RTs did not reliably vary with exercise intensity. Further, for each exercise intensity participants' cardiorespiratory fitness level was unrelated to the magnitude of the post-exercise executive benefit (ps > .13). Accordingly, an exercise duration as brief as 10-min provides a selective benefit to executive function in older adults across the continuum of moderate to very-heavy intensities.

Differing six minute pacing strategies affect anaerobic contribution, oxygen uptake, muscle deoxygenation and cycle performance.

BACKGROUND: This study compared an all-out start (AO) to a constant power start strategy (CON) during a 6 min cycle performance on utilization of W´ (energy above critical power [CP]), muscle deoxygenation (HHb), oxygen uptake (VO2) and performance in recreationally active individuals. The AO strategy was similar to that employed by rowers. METHODS: Eight healthy males (age =24±3 y) completed a ramp test to fatigue (VO2peak =4.42±0.54 L∙min-1; peak power =385±35 W) and a 3-min all-out test to determine CP and the CON work rate. The AO strategy began with a 12 s sprint, followed by 258 s at 5%

A post-exercise facilitation of executive function is independent of aerobically supported metabolic costs.

A single-bout of aerobic or resistance training facilitates executive function and is a benefit thought to be specific to exercise durations greater than 20 min. We sought to determine whether an executive benefit is observed for a session as brief as 10-min, and whether distinct and participant-specific exercise intensities - and associated metabolic costs - influence the magnitude of the benefit. Participants completed exercise sessions - via cycle ergometer - at moderate (80% of lactate threshold [LT]), heavy (15% of the difference between LT and VO2 peak) and very-heavy (50% of the difference between LT and VO2 peak) intensities determined via an incremental ramp test to volitional exhaustion. Pre- and post-exercise executive function was examined via antisaccades - an executive task requiring a saccade mirror-symmetrical to a visual stimulus. Antisaccades are an ideal tool for examining post-exercise executive changes due to the resolution of eye-tracking and because the task is mediated via the same frontoparietal networks as modified following single-bout and chronic exercise. A non-executive prosaccade task (i.e., saccade to veridical target location) was also completed to determine if the putative post-exercise benefit was specific to executive function. Results showed a 20 ms reduction in pre- to post-exercise antisaccade RTs (p < .02) and was independent of exercise intensity, whereas no such change was observed for prosaccades (p = .14). Furthermore, the antisaccade benefit occurred without concomitant changes in directional errors or endpoint accuracy; that is, participants did not decrease their post-exercise RTs at the cost of increased planning and execution errors (ps > 0.34). Accordingly, we propose that an exercise duration as brief as 10-min provides a reliable benefit to executive function and is an effect observed across the continuum of moderate to very-heavy intensities.