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Effect of moderate-intensity work rate increment on phase II τVO2, functional gain and Δ[HHb]

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Abstract

This study systematically examined the role of work rate (WR) increment on the kinetics of pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2p) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived muscle deoxygenation (Δ[HHb]) during moderate-intensity (Mod) cycling. Fourteen males (24 ± 5 years) each completed four to eight repetitions of Mod transitions from 20 to 50, 70, 90, 110 and 130 W. VO2p and Δ[HHb] responses were modelled as a mono-exponential; responses were then scaled to a relative % of the respective response (0–100 %). The Δ[HHb]/VO2 ratio was calculated as the average Δ[HHb]/VO2 during the 20–120 s period of the on-transient. When considered as a single group, neither the phase II VO2p time constant (τVO2p; 27 ± 9, 26 ± 11, 25 ± 10, 27 ± 14, 29 ± 13 s for 50–130 W transitions, respectively) nor the Δ[HHb]/VO2 ratio (1.04 ± 0.13, 1.10 ± 0.13, 1.08 ± 0.07, 1.09 ± 0.11, 1.09 ± 0.09, respectively) was affected by WR (p > 0.05); yet, the VO2 functional gain (G; ΔVO2/ΔWR) increased with increasing WR transitions (8.6 ± 1.3, 9.1 ± 1.2, 9.5 ± 1.0, 9.5 ± 1.0, 9.9 ± 1.0 mL min−1 W−1; p < 0.05). When subjects were stratified into two groups [Fast (n = 6), τVO2p130W < 25 s < τVO2p130W, Slower (n = 8)], a group by WR interaction was observed for τVO2p. The increasing functional G persisted (p < 0.05) and did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). The Δ[HHb]/VO2 ratio was smaller (p < 0.05) in the Fast than Slower group, but was unaffected by WR. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated (1) a non-uniform effect of Mod WR increment on τVO2p; (2) that τVO2p in the Slower group is likely determined by an O2 delivery limitation; and (3) that increasing Mod WR increments elicits an increased functional G, regardless of the τVO2p response.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the subjects in this study and to acknowledge the technical assistance provided by Brad Hansen.

Grants

This study was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) research and equipment grants. M. D. Spencer was supported by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Matthew D. Spencer, Juan M. Murias, John M. Kowalchuk & Donald H. Paterson

  2. School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada

    Matthew D. Spencer, Juan M. Murias, John M. Kowalchuk & Donald H. Paterson

  3. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    John M. Kowalchuk

Authors
  1. Matthew D. Spencer
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  2. Juan M. Murias
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  3. John M. Kowalchuk
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  4. Donald H. Paterson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donald H. Paterson.

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Communicated by David C. Poole.

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Spencer, M.D., Murias, J.M., Kowalchuk, J.M. et al. Effect of moderate-intensity work rate increment on phase II τVO2, functional gain and Δ[HHb]. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 545–557 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2460-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2460-3

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