Abstract
Purpose
To examine the effect of separate and combined exposure to hypoxia [normoxia (FIO2 = 0.21) vs. moderate altitude (FIO2 = 0.13)] and temperature [thermoneutral (22 °C) vs. cold (5 °C)] on muscle fatigue development in the forearm, after repeated low-resistance contractions.
Methods
Eight males were exposed for 70 min to four separate conditions in a balanced order. Conditions were normoxic-thermoneutral (N), hypoxic-thermoneutral, normoxic-cold and hypoxic-cold. After 15-min seated rest, participants carried out intermittent dynamic forearm exercise at 15 % maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) for eight consecutive, 5-min work bouts. Each bout was separated by 110 s rest during which MVC force was collected.
Results
When exposed to hypoxia and cold independently, the exercise protocol decreased MVC force of the finger flexors by 8.1 and 13.9 %, respectively, compared to thermoneutral normoxia. When hypoxia and cold were combined, the decrease in MVC force was 21.4 % more than thermoneutral normoxia, reflecting an additive effect and no interaction. EMG relative to force produced during MVC, increased by 2 and 1.2 μV per kg (36 and 23 % of N) for cold and hypoxia, respectively. When the stressors were combined the effect was additive, increasing to 3.1 μV per kg (56 % of N).
Conclusion
When compared to exercise in thermoneutral normoxic conditions, both cold and hypoxia significantly reduce brief MVC force output. This effect appears to be of mechanical origin, not a failure in muscle fibre recruitment per se. Additionally, the reduction in force is greater when the stressors are combined, showing an additive effect.
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Abbreviations
- ANOVA:
-
Analysis of variance
- AU:
-
Arbitrary units
- C:
-
Condition normoxic-cold
- EMG:
-
Electromyography
- ED:
-
Extensor digitorum
- FCR:
-
Flexor carpi radialis
- FDS:
-
Flexor digitorum superficialis
- FFT:
-
Fast Fourier transform
- FI:
-
Fatigue index
- FIO2 :
-
Fraction of inspired oxygen
- H:
-
Condition hypoxic-thermoneutrality
- HC:
-
Conditions hypoxic-cold
- HR:
-
Heart rate
- LDF:
-
Laser Doppler flowmetry
- MVC:
-
Maximal voluntary contraction
- N:
-
Condition normoxic-thermoneutrality
- RMS:
-
Root mean square
- RPE:
-
Rate of perceived exertion
- SpO2 :
-
Peripheral arterial oxygen saturation
- Tco :
-
Core temperature
- Ta :
-
Ambient temperature
- Tsk :
-
Skin temperature
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Communicated by Nicolas Place.
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Lloyd, A., Hodder, S. & Havenith, G. The interactive effect of cooling and hypoxia on forearm fatigue development. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 2007–2018 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3181-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3181-1