ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2018 January-February;58(1-2):17-26

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06825-0

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Differing six minute pacing strategies affect anaerobic contribution, oxygen uptake, muscle deoxygenation and cycle performance

John MURRAY ¹, Michael McCRUDDEN ¹, Juan M. MURIAS ², Volker NOLTE ¹, Glen R. BELFRY ¹ ✉

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; ² Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, School of Kinesiology, London, ON, Canada

BACKGROUND: This study compared an all-out start (AO) to a constant power start strategy (CON) during a 6 min cycle performance on utilization of W´ (energy above critical power [CP]), muscle deoxygenation (HHb), oxygen uptake (VO2) and performance in recreationally active individuals. The AO strategy was similar to that employed by rowers.
METHODS: Eight healthy males (age =24±3 y) completed a ramp test to fatigue (VO2peak =4.42±0.54 L∙min-1; peak power =385±35 W) and a 3-min all-out test to determine CP and the CON work rate. The AO strategy began with a 12 s sprint, followed by 258 s at 5%RESULTS: Total W´ utilized was higher during CON vs. AO (18,109±5439 J vs. 13,754±3543 J, P<0.05). The HHb/VO2 ratio reflected a duration mismatch between O2 provision to O2 utilization during CON compared to AO (118 s vs. 58 s, P<0.05). Mean work rate was higher in CON compared to AO (315±21 W vs. 302±64 W, P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: CON yielded a greater utilization of W´ and a higher mean work rate compared to AO during a traditional rowing stratagem during a 6-min cycle performance in recreationally active individuals.

KEY WORDS: Oxygen consumption - Exercise test - Sport