Ventilatory efficiency response is unaffected by fitness level, ergometer type, age or body mass index in male athletes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventilatory efficiency (V E/VCO2 slope) and the respiratory control (Vt/Ti slope) in a wide range of athletes and describe the influence of fitness level, age, ergometer type or BMI on these parameters. Ninety-one males (30.4±10.53 years; 175.52±7.45 cm; 71.99±9.35 kg) were analysed retrospectively for the study. Ventilatory efficiency reacted similarly in athletes independently of the fitness level, age, BMI or the ergometer used for testing. No significant differences were found in V E/VCO2 slope and the Vt/Ti slope between variables analyzed (P>0.05). The slope of the predictive equations was similar in all cases studied in V E/VCO2 slope and the Vt/Ti slope. Moreover, the central control impulse of respiration was not affected by the variables studied. These observations suggest that ventilatory efficiency (V E/VCO2 slope) could be a variable fixed by the respiratory system which tends to respond similarly in athletes.

Influence of high-intensity interval training on ventilatory efficiency in trained athletes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 weeks high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) in endurance athletes. Sixteen male well-trained (67.72 ml kg min-1) athletes participated in this study. Each participant performed an incremental exercise test with gas analysis (i.e. VE, VO2) and a 400 m running field test (T400m) before and after the 3 weeks intervention period. HIIT group (HIITG) performed 11 HIIT sessions consisting of four 4-min interval bouts at an exercise intensity of 90-95% of the VO2max, separated by 4-min active recovery periods (work/rest ratio = 1:1). No significant differences were found in the parameters studied. Ventilatory efficiency (up to VT2 and up to exhaustion) did not show any change in HIITG after training intervention (ES = 0.24 HIITG; ES = 0.21 CG). No significant changes were observed on ventilation (VEmax; ES = 0.38). VO2max and T400 m did not show a significant improvement after the training period (no interaction time × group, p < .05) (ES = 0.43 and ES = 0.75 respectively). These results do not support the hypothesis that 3 weeks of HIIT could modify the ventilatory efficiency response in well-trained athletes. Furthermore, they show the lack of relationship between ventilatory efficiency and sport performance.

Leukocyte Populations are Associated with Heart Rate Variability After a Triathlon.

The purpose of this study was to analyze cellular immune components and their association with heart rate variability in triathlon athletes. Twelve athletes were included (age 36.41 ± 5.57 years, body mass 81.84 ± 10.97 kg) and blood samples were taken one week before, immediately, at 2 and 48 hours, and one week after competition. Total lymphocytes and their subpopulations, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes were analyzed. At the same time, heart rate variability was recorded for 30 minutes using Polar Team2®. A significant difference between lymphocyte subpopulations and heart rate variability was found in the different study periods. A positive correlation was found between total lymphocytes and rMSSD (r = .736, p <0.05), CD3+ and rMSSD (r = .785, p <0.05), and CD4+ and rMSSD (r = .795, p < 0.05) at the end of the competition. After one week of competition, a negative correlation was found between eosinophils and MRR, SDNN, pNN50, and rMSSD (p <0.01); and basophils and MRR, SDNN, pNN50, and rMSSD (p <0.01); while a positive correlation was found between CD19+ (B cells) and pNN50 (r = .678, p <0.05). Our results suggest that it is possible to predict the effect of training with regard to the athlete's performance.

Un comgreso para el futuro / A congress for the future

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