Prior heavy-intensity exercise speeds V̇o2 kinetics during moderate-intensity exercise in young adults

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Abstract
The effect of prior heavy-intensity warm-up exercise on subsequent moderate-intensity phase 2 pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics (τV̇o2) was examined in young adults exhibiting relatively fast (FK; τV̇o2 < 30 s; n = 6) and slow (SK; τV̇o2 > 30 s; n = 6) V̇o2 kinetics in moderate-intensity exercise without prior warm up. Subjects performed four repetitions of a moderate (Mod1)-heavy-moderate (Mod2) protocol on a cycle ergometer with work rates corresponding to 80% estimated lactate threshold (moderate intensity) and 50% difference between lactate threshold and peak V̇o2 (heavy intensity); each transition lasted 6 min, and each was preceded by 6 min of cycling at 20 W. V̇o2 and heart rate (HR) were measured breath-by-breath and beat-by-beat, respectively; concentration changes of muscle deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), oxyhemoglobin, and total hemoglobin were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (Hamamatsu NIRO 300). τV̇o2 was lower ( P < 0.05) in Mod2 than in Mod1 in both FK (20 ± 5 s vs. 26 ± 5 s, respectively) and SK (30 ± 8 s vs. 45 ± 11 s, respectively); linear regression analysis showed a greater “speeding” of V̇o2 kinetics in subjects exhibiting a greater Mod1 τV̇o2. HR, oxyhemoglobin, and total hemoglobin were elevated ( P < 0.05) in Mod2 compared with Mod1. The delay before the increase in HHb was reduced ( P < 0.05) in Mod2, whereas the HHb mean response time was reduced ( P < 0.05) in FK (Mod2, 22 ± 3 s; Mod1, 32 ± 11 s) but not different in SK (Mod2, 36 ± 13 s; Mod1, 34 ± 15 s). We conclude that improved muscle perfusion in Mod2 may have contributed to the faster adaptation of V̇o2, especially in SK; however, a possible role for metabolic inertia in some subjects cannot be overlooked.

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