Caffeine effects on VO2max test outcomes investigated by a placebo perceived-as-caffeine design.

BACKGROUND: Ergogenic effects of caffeine (CAF) ingestion have been observed in different cycling exercise modes, and have been associated with alterations in ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). However, there has been little investigation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) test outcomes. AIM: This study aimed to verify whether CAF may reduce RPE, thereby improving maximal incremental test (MIT) outcomes such as VO2MAX, time to exhaustion and peak power output (WPEAK). METHODS: Nine healthy individuals performed three MITs (25 W/min until exhaustion) in a random, counterbalanced fashion after ingestion of CAF, placebo perceived as caffeine (PLA), and no supplementation (baseline control). VO2 was measured throughout the test, while RPE was rated according to overall and leg effort sensations. The power output corresponding to submaximal (RPE = 14 according to the 6-20 Borg scale) and maximal RPE was recorded for both overall (O-RPE14 and O-RPEMAX) and leg RPE (L-RPE14 and L-RPEMAX). RESULTS: VO2MAX did not change significantly between MITs; however, CAF and PLA increased time to exhaustion (↑ ∼18.7% and ∼17.1%, respectively; p < .05) and WPEAK (↑ ∼13.0% and ∼11.8%, respectively; p < .05) when compared with control. When compared with control, CAF ingestion reduced submaximal and maximal overall and leg RPEs, the effect being greater in maximal (likely beneficial in O-RPEMAX and L-RPEMAX) than submaximal RPE (possibly beneficial in O-RPE14 and L-RPE14). Similar results were found when participants ingested PLA. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with control, CAF and PLA improved MIT performance outcomes such as time to exhaustion and WPEAK, without altering VO2MAX values. CAF effects were attributed to placebo.

The Effect of Low-intensity Aerobic Training Combined with Blood Flow Restriction on Maximal Strength, Muscle Mass, and Cycling Performance in a Cyclist with Knee Displacement.

Low-intensity aerobic training combined with blood flow restriction (LI + BFR) has resulted in increases in aerobic and neuromuscular capacities in untrained individuals. This strategy may help cyclists incapable of training with high intensity bouts or during a rehabilitation program. However, there is a lack of evidence about the use of LI + BFR in injured trained cyclists. Thus, we investigated the effects of LI + BFR on aerobic capacity, maximal isometric strength, cross-sectional area of vastus lateralis (CSAVL), time to exhaustion test (TTE), and 20 km cycling time-trial performance (TT20 km) in a male cyclist with knee osteoarthritis (OA). After a 4-week control period, a 9-week (2 days/week) intervention period started. Pre- and post-intervention TT20 km, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), power output of the 1st and 2nd ventilatory thresholds (1st WVT and 2nd WVT), maximum power output (Wmax), TTE, muscle strength and CSAVL of both legs were measured. Training intensity was fixed at 30% of Wmax while the duration was progressively increased from 12 min to 24 min. There was a reduction in time to complete TT20 km (-1%) with increases in TT20 km mean power output (3.9%), VO2peak (11.4%), 2nd WVT (8.3%), Wmax (3.8%), TTE (15.5%), right and left legs maximal strength (1.3% and 8.5%, respectively) and CSAVL (3.3% and 3.7%, respectively). There was no alteration in 1st WVT. Based on the results, we suggest that LI + BFR may be a promising training strategy to improve the performance of knee-injured cyclists with knee OA.

Fatores determinantes da estratégia de ritmo em esportes de endurance / Determinants factors of pacing strategy on endurance sports / Determinantes de la estrategia de ritmo en los deportes de resistencia

Resumo Provas cíclicas de longa duração exigem que atletas tomem decisões acerca do uso de energia durante a prova. Visto isso, diferentes estratégias de ritmo (pacing strategy) foram diagnosticadas a fim de promover uma economia de energia durante o esforço. Portanto, o objetivo desta revisão é apresentar os principais mecanismos da estratégia de ritmo, baseados nos modelos de tomada de decisão sustentados por informações aferentes ou contextuais/intuitivas, que são usadas para calcular e reduzir um possível risco de fadiga prematura durante uma tarefa de endurance.

Abstract Long cyclic exercises require that athletes make decisions about the use of energy during the trial, as this, different pacing strategies were diagnosed in order to promote an economy of energy during exercise. Therefore the aim of this review was to present the major exercise strategy mechanisms, based on the decision-making models supported by accurate afferent information, or contextual / intuitive, which are used to calculate the risk of the exercise/test, and decide to reduce/maintain/increase the pace of exercise/test.

Resumen Las pruebas cíclicas a largo plazo requieren que los atletas tomen decisiones sobre el uso de la energía durante la carrera. De esta manera, se diagnosticaron diferentes estrategias de ritmos (pacing strategy) con el fin de promover una economía de energía durante el esfuerzo. Por tanto, el objetivo de esta revisión es presentar los principales mecanismos de la estrategia de ritmo, basados en los modelos de toma de decisiones con el apoyo de la información aferente exacta, o contextual/intuitiva, que se utiliza para calcular el posible riesgo de cansancio prematuro durante la prueba de resistencia.

Efeito da ordem dos exercícios de força sobre o volume, o lactato e o desempenho / Effect of the order of strength exercises on volume, lactate and performance / Efecto de la orden de los ejercicios de fuerza en el volumen, lactato y rendimiento

RESUMO Introdução: A alternância entre segmentos corporais para prescrição do treinamento de força (TF) é amplamente utilizada, entretanto seus efeitos permanecem desconhecidos. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito agudo da manipulação da ordem dos exercícios do TF, alternando segmentos corporais, sobre a força dinâmica máxima (1 RM) de membros inferiores (MMII) e superiores (MMSS), a concentração de lactato sanguíneo [La], a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e o volume total de treino (VT). Métodos: Dezoito homens (23,1 ± 3,8 anos; 78,4 ± 8,6 kg; 1,72 ± 0,06 m) executaram três condições de TF: condição A (supino reto, desenvolvimento, rosca Scott, meio-agachamento, leg press, cadeira extensora); condição B (meio-agachamento, leg press, cadeira extensora, supino reto, desenvolvimento, rosca Scott) e condição C (supino reto, meio-agachamento, desenvolvimento, leg press, rosca Scott e cadeira extensora). Os exercícios foram executados com três séries de 10 RM. Os testes de 1 RM para MMII e MMSS foram realizados nas semanas iniciais e após as condições experimentais. As coletas de sangue foram feitas no repouso [T0], imediatamente após [IA], 3 [T3] e 5 minutos [T5] após cada condição. A PSE de MMSS, MMII e geral, e o VT foram mensurados ao final de cada condição. Resultados: A 1 RM foi reduzida depois da sessão em todas as condições tanto para MMSS (A = -19,4%; B = -23,0%; C = -22,8%) quanto para MMII (A = -16,2%; B = -15,3%; C = -16,1%) sem diferença entre condições. A PSE apresentou resultados similares entre as condições (Condição A = 8,4; Condição B = 8,7; Condição C = 8,7). Houve aumento significante no La no momento T3 da condição C comparado com as outras condições: (C = 7,29 mmol.L-1; A = 6,60 mmol.L -1; B = 6,51 mmol.L-1) (p < 0,0001). O VT na condição C (16.169,4 ± 2.562,5 kg) foi superior às condições A (13.222,2 ± 2.010,4 kg) e B (13.989,8 ± 2.223,4 kg) (p < 0,0001). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que somente o VT e a demanda metabólica foram mais afetados pela ordem dos exercícios.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The alternation between body segments for prescription of strength training (ST) is widely used; however, its effects remain unknown. Objective: To verify the acute effect of the manipulation of the order of ST exercises, alterna-ting body segments, on the maximum dynamic force (1 RM) of lower limbs (LL) and upper limbs (UL), blood lactate [La] concentration, subjective perception of effort (SPE) and the total training volume (TV). Methods: Eighteen men (23.1±3.8 years; 78.4±8.6 kg; 1.72±0.06 m) performed three ST conditions: condition A: (bench press, shoulder press, preacher arm curl, half squat, leg press, leg extension); condition B (half squat, leg press, leg extension, bench press, shoulder press, preacher arm curl) and condition C (bench press, half squat, shoulder press, leg press, preacher arm curl, leg extension). The exercises were performed in three sets of 10 RM. The 1 RM tests for LL and UL were performed in the initial weeks and after the experimental conditions. Blood samples were taken at rest [T0], immediately after [IA], 3 [T3], and 5 minutes [T5] after each condition. SPE of UL, LL, and general, and VT were measured at the end of each condition. Results: The 1 RM was reduced after the session in all conditions for both UL (A = -19.4%, B = -23.0%, C = -22.8%) and LL (A = -16.2 %, B = -15.3%, C = -16.1%) with no difference between conditions. The SPE presented similar results between the conditions (Condition A=8.4, Condition B=8.7, Condition C=8.7). There was a significant increase in La at time T3 of condition C compared to the other conditions: (C=7.29 mmol.L-1, A=6.60 mmol.L-1, B=6.51 mmol.L-1) (p<0.0001). The TV in condition C (16,169.4 ± 2,562.5 kg) was higher than conditions A (13,222.2 ± 2,010.4 kg) and B (13,989.8 ± 2223.4 kg) (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The results suggest that only TV and the metabolic demand were more affected by the order of exercises.

RESUMEN Introducción: La alternancia entre los segmentos del cuerpo para la prescripción de entrenamiento de fuerza (EF) es ampliamente utilizada, pero siguen desconocidos sus efectos. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto agudo de la manipulación de la orden de los ejercicios de EF, alternando segmentos del cuerpo, en la fuerza máxima (1 RM) de las extremidades inferiores (EI) y superiores (ES), la concentración del lactato (La) en la sangre, la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo (PSE) y el volumen de entrenamiento (VE). Métodos: Dieciocho hombres (23,1 ± 3,8 años; 78,4 ± 8,6 kg; 1,72 ± 0,06 m) realizaron tres condiciones de EF: Condición A (press de banca, press de hombros, rosca Scott, media sentadilla, prensa de piernas, extensión de la pierna); Condición B (media sentadilla, prensa de piernas, extensión de la pierna, press de banca, press de ombros, rosca Scott) y Condición C (press de banca, media sentadilla, press de hombros, prensa de piernas, rosca Scott, y extensión de la pierna). Los ejercicios se realizaron con tres series de 10 RM. Las pruebas de 1 RM de las EI y ES se llevaron a cabo en las primeras semanas y después de las condiciones experimentales. Las muestras de sangre fueron tomadas en reposo [T0] inmediatamente después [IA], 3 [T3] y 5 minutos [T5] después de cada condición. La PSE, de ES, EI y general y VE se midieron al final de cada condición. Resultados: La 1 RM se redujo después de la sesión en todas las condiciones para ES (A = -19,4%; B = -23,0%; C = -22,8%) y EI (A = -16,2%; B = -15,3%; C = -16,1%), sin diferencia entre las condiciones. La PSE mostró resultados similares entre las condiciones (Condición A = 8,4, Condición B = 8.7, Condición C = 8,7). Hubo un aumento significativo en La en el momento T3 de la condición C en comparación con las otras condiciones (C = 7,29 mmol.L-1; A = 6,60 mmol.L-1, B = 6,51 mmol.L-1) (p < 0,0001). El VE en la condición C (16.169,4 ± 2.562,5 kg) fue superior a las condiciones A (13.222,2 ± 2.010.4 kg) y B (13.989,8 ± 2.223,4 kg) (p < 0,0001). Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que solamente el VE y las demandas metabólicas fueron afectados por el orden de los ejercicios.

Provável reserva neurofisiológica na execução de exercícios aeróbios máximos / Probable reserves neurophysiological in the execution of maximum aerobic exercises

O modelo tradicional de fisiologia do exercício assume que existe um limite periférico (muscular) em todo exercício aeróbio máximo, devido à hipóxia severa causada pela oferta inadequada de oxigênio ao músculo esquelético. Este evento seria coincidente com o recrutamento de todas as unidades motoras disponíveis no músculo ativo, no mesmo instante. Entretanto, evidências recentes não se ajustam a estas predições. Pelo contrário, um modelo de regulação central do esforço defende a existência de reserva neurofisiológica em todo exercício aeróbio máximo. Nessa nova interpretação, o sistema nervoso central (SNC) modularia o recrutamento muscular para impedir a ativação de todas as unidades motoras ao mesmo tempo, e evitar o excesso de dano à matriz celular. Tal modulação realizada pelo SNC seria um mecanismo natural de defesa do organismo contra a falha catastrófica e o rigor mortis. Alguns resultados obtidos pelo Grupo de Estudo em Psicofisiologia do Exercício poderiam ser interpretados de acordo com a presença de uma reserva neurofisiológica, pois a potência mecânica máxima (WMAX) num teste incremental máximo foi aumentada após ingestão de cafeína e placebo percebido como cafeína, porém, sem alteração no consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2MAX), sugerindo não haver limitação periférica. Entretanto, estudos devem ser desenhados para responder essa questão de forma mais consistente, incluindo medidas metabólicas e de excitabilidade dos músculos esqueléticos, mas também do SNC, durante exercício.

The traditional model of exercise physiology assumes that there would be a peripheral (muscular) limit in maximal aerobic exercises due to severe hypoxia derived from inadequate oxygen supply to the skeletal muscles. This event is to be coincident with the total recruitment of available motor units in the active muscles. However, recent evidence does not agree with these predictions. Rather, a centrally-regulated effort model argues that there is a neurophysiological reserve in all maximal aerobic exercises. In this new interpretation the central nervous system (CNS) would modulate the muscle recruitment to prevent the recruitment of all available motor units at the same time in order to avoid excessive harm in cellular matrixes. Such modulation performed by the CNS would be a natural mechanism to defend the body against catastrophic failure and rigor mortis. Some results obtained by the Exercise Psychophysiology Research Group may be interpreted according to this neurophysiological reserve as the peak power output (WPEAK) in a maximum incremental test was increased after caffeine and placebo perceived as caffeine ingestion, but without change in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2MAX), suggesting no peripheral limitation. Yet, studies including measures of metabolic and skeletal muscle excitability in addition to the CNS function during exercise may answer this question closer.