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Fatigue sensation and gene expression in trained cyclists following a 40 km time trial in the heat

Abstract

Purpose

We examined the effect of race-effort cycling exercise with and without heat stress on post-exercise perceptions of fatigue and pain, as well as mRNA expression in genes related to exercise responses.

Methods

Trained cyclists (n = 20) completed 40 km time trials during temperate (TC, 21 °C) and hot (HC, 35 °C) conditions. Blood lactates were measured 1 and 5 min post-exercise. Venous blood samples and ratings of fatigue and pain perceptions were obtained at baseline and at 0.5, 8, 24, and 48 h post-exercise. Leukocyte mRNA expression was performed for metabolite detecting, adrenergic, monoamine, and immune receptors using qPCR.

Results

Significantly lower mean power (157 ± 32.3 vs 187 ± 40 W) and lactates (6.4 ± 1.7 vs 8.8 ± 3.2 and 4.2 ± 1.5 vs 6.6 ± 2.7 mmol L−1 at 1- and 5-min post-exercise) were observed for HC versus TC, respectively (p < 0.05). Increases (p < 0.05) in physical fatigue and pain perception during TTs did not differ between TC and HC (p > 0.30). Both trials resulted in significant post-exercise decreases in metabolite detecting receptors ASIC3, P2X4, TRPV1, and TRPV4; increases in adrenergic receptors α2a, α2c, and β1; decreases in adrenergic β2, the immune receptor TLR4, and dopamine (DRD4); and increases in serotonin (HTR1D) and IL-10 (p < 0.05). Post-exercise IL-6 differed between TC and HC, with significantly greater increases observed following HC (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Both TT performances appeared to be regulated around a specific sensory perception of fatigue and pain. Heat stress may have compensated for lower lactate during HC, thereby matching changes in metabolite detecting and other mRNAs across conditions.

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Abbreviations

ASIC:

Acid-sensing inward current

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CNS:

Central nervous system

CFS:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Tcore :

Core temperature

DA:

Dopamine

DRD:

Dopamine receptor

HC:

Heat condition

HSP:

Heat shock protein

IL:

Interleukin receptor

Km:

Kilometer

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

P2X:

Purinergic

qPCR:

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

RM:

Repeated measures

5-HT:

Serotonin

5HTR1D:

Serotonin receptor

TC:

Temperate condition

TF2B:

Transcription factor IIB

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

TNFα:

Tumor necrosis factor α

TRPV:

Transient receptor potential vanilloid channels

TT:

Time trial

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Correspondence to Timothy A. VanHaitsma.

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Communicated by George Havenith.

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VanHaitsma, T.A., Light, A.R., Light, K.C. et al. Fatigue sensation and gene expression in trained cyclists following a 40 km time trial in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 541–552 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3311-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3311-9

Keywords

  • Metabolite
  • ASIC
  • TRPV
  • Muscle afferents
  • Heat stress