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

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Abstract

This study compared the oxygen uptake (VO2) 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. VO2 and ∆HHb data were filtered and averaged to 5 s bins. Average VO2 (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 VO2 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 VO2 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 O2 delivery condition compared to CONT.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Brad Hansen for his technical expertise. Funding received from NSERC.

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The authors have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, Thames Hall, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada

    Glen R. Belfry, Donald H. Paterson & Juan M. Murias

  2. Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Scott G. Thomas

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  1. Glen R. Belfry
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  2. Donald H. Paterson
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Correspondence to Glen R. Belfry.

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Communicated by David C. Poole.

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Belfry, G.R., Paterson, D.H., Murias, J.M. et al. The effects of short recovery duration on VO2 and muscle deoxygenation during intermittent exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 1907–1915 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2152-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2152-4

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