Muscle deoxygenation kinetics in cycling time trial

Authors

  • Peter Leo University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt
  • Matthias Hovorka
  • Alfred Nimmerichter

Abstract

Background: Concentration changes of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin (O2Hb and HHb) measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides information about oxygen delivery and extraction at the muscular level. The kinetic response of HHb reflects the adjustment of the oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle and could therefore be related to exercise tolerance. While most studies used laboratory cycling to investigate the kinetic responses, the effect of cycling time trials in field conditions remains to be shown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in HHb during maximal effort cycling time trials in field conditions. Methods: Thirteen trained cyclists and triathletes (N=13; mean ± SD: age 32 ± 7 years; body mass 74.6 ± 7.4 kg; stature 182 ± 5 cm; maximum oxygen uptake 67.9 ± 3.0 mL·min-1·kg-1; maximal power output 406 ± 39 W), completed 3 cycling time trials lasting 10, 4 and 1 min on a flat road, interspersed by a 30 min recovery period after each trial. Relative changes in HHb were recorded on the right vastus lateralis muscle with a portable continuous-wave NIRS device. Second-by-second data normalised to 100% of the response were used to resolve the amplitude, the time delay and the time constant by nonlinear regression. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the parameter estimates across the time trial durations. Results: The mean power output during the 10-, 4- and 1- minute cycling time trials was 352 ± 45, 385 ± 49 and 525 ± 73 W, respectively (p=0.001). No significant differences were observed for cadence during the 10- vs. 1-minute cycling time trials (p=0.264), however significant differences were observed between 4- vs. 1-minute (p=0.05) The parameter estimates of the kinetic response were significantly affected by time trial duration. The amplitude for 10- vs. 1- minute (78.20 ± 8.42 vs. 89.16 ± 6.82; p = 0.022) as well as for 4- vs. 1-minute (74.99 ± 6.12 vs. 89.16 ± 6.82; p = 0.006) cycling time trial duration showed significant differences. Moreover, significant effects can be reported for the 10- vs. 1-minute time delay parameter (9.54 ± 2.07 s vs. 3.65 ± 1.71s; p = 0.001). Mean response time also demonstrated significant differences for 10- vs. 1-minute cycling time trials (13.45 ± 2.39 s vs. 6.85 ± 1.90 s; p = 0.001). No significant differences were reported for the time constant among the different cycling time trial durations (p>0.05). Discussion: These findings support that the physiological response to high intensity exercise during multiple cycling time trial durations could be monitored by alterations in muscle deoxygenation kinetic parameters. Furthermore, these results imply that changes at the microvascular level are time dependent when exposed to maximal exhaustion. However further research is recommended to support these findings of muscle deoxygenation kinetics during cycling time trial in field conditions.

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Published

2018-11-16

How to Cite

Leo, P., Hovorka, M., & Nimmerichter, A. (2018). Muscle deoxygenation kinetics in cycling time trial. Journal of Science and Cycling, 7(2), 20-21. Retrieved from https://www.jsc-journal.com/index.php/JSC/article/view/398

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