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Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity during a 4 km cycling time trial

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study sought to describe middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv) during a 4 km cycling time trial, and relate it to different pacing strategies adopted by participants.

Methods

After familiarisation and a standardised exercise protocol, 15 male trained cyclists rode a 4 km time trial on a cycling ergometer. MCAv was assessed via transcranial Doppler ultrasound in the right hemisphere at resting baseline, and throughout the time trial. Mean arterial pressure, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO2) and heart rate were assessed alongside MCAv. Plasma lactate was assessed post time trial. Data were compared depending upon whether participants completed the time trial with a positive (first half faster than the last) or negative pacing profile although there was no difference in the time to completion with either pacing strategy (positive 344 ± 23 s, negative 334 ± 14 s; p = 0.394).

Results

Lower mean MCAv (positive pacing −7.6 ± 14.2%, negative pacing +21.2 ± 15.0% compared to resting baseline measures; p = 0.004) and lower PetCO2 (significant interaction p < 0.001) towards the end of the time trial were observed with positive compared to negative pacing. Heart rate and lactate did not differ between pacing strategies.

Conclusions

Changes in MCAv appear to depend on the pacing strategy adopted, with a positive pacing strategy likely to contribute to a hyperventilatory drop in PetCO2 and subsequent reduction in MCAv. Although lower cerebral blood flow cannot be directly linked to an inability to raise or maintain power output during the closing stages of the time trial, this potential contributor to fatigue is worth further investigation.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CBF:

Cerebral blood flow

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

HREC:

Human Research Ethics Committee

MAP:

Mean arterial pressure

MCA:

Middle cerebral artery

MCAv :

Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity

PetCO2 :

Partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide

PaCO2 :

Partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide

RCT:

Randomised controlled trial

RPM:

Revolutions per minute

SD:

Standard deviation

TCD:

Transcranial doppler ultrasound

TT:

Time trial

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, University Drive, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Ben Rattray, Brittany A. Smale, Joseph M. Northey & Disa J. Smee

  2. The University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Canberra, Australia

    Ben Rattray, Brittany A. Smale & Joseph M. Northey

  3. Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia

    Nathan G. Versey

Authors
  1. Ben Rattray
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  2. Brittany A. Smale
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  3. Joseph M. Northey
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  4. Disa J. Smee
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  5. Nathan G. Versey
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ben Rattray.

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The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

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Communicated by Massimo Pagani.

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Rattray, B., Smale, B.A., Northey, J.M. et al. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity during a 4 km cycling time trial. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1241–1248 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3612-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3612-2

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