The reliability of the lactate threshold (LT) determined in aged rats and its validity to identify an exercise intensity corresponding to the maximal blood lactate steady state (MLSS) were analyzed. Eighteen male aged Wistar rats (approximately 365 days) were submitted to two incremental swimming tests until exhaustion, consisting of an initial load corresponding to 1% of body mass (BM) and increments of 1% BM at each 3-min with blood lactate ([lac]) measurements. The LT was determined by visual inspection (LT(V)) as well by applying a polynomial function on the [lac]/workload ratio (LT(P)) by considering the vertices of the curve. For the MLSS, twelve animals were submitted, on different days, to 3-4 exercise sessions of 30-min with workload corresponding to 4, 5 or 6% BM. The MLSS was considered the highest exercise intensity at which the [lac] variation was not higher than 0.07 mM.min(-1) during the last 20-min. No differences were observed for the test-retest results (4.9 +/- 0.7 and 5.0 +/- 0.8 %BM for LTv; and 6.0 +/- 0.6 and 5.8 +/- 0.6 %BM for LTp) that did not differ from the MLSS (5.4 +/- 0.5 %BM). The LT identified for aged rats in swimming, both by visual inspection and polynomial function, was reliable and did not differ from the MLSS.

Os efeitos do treinamento aeróbio em intensidade relativa ao limiar de lactato (LL) foram analisados em 15 ratos idosos (~448 dias de vida). Os grupos de animais treinados (n=9) e controle (n=6) foram submetidos a um teste antes e após quatro semanas de treinamento. O teste incremental consistiu de uma carga inicial de 1% do peso corporal e incrementos de 1% a cada três minutos, com mensurações de lactato sanguíneo para identificação do LL por inspeção visual do ponto de inflexão da curva. O programa de treinamento consistiu de 30 minutos de natação/dia, cinco dias/semana, com sobrecarga de 5% do peso corporal (PC), ou controle sem exercício. Foi observado aumento significativo na intensidade do LL após o treinamento (pré = 4,5 ± 1,1 vs. Pós = 5.4 ± 0.9% PC). A carga máxima atingida ao final do teste incremental aumentou significativamente de 39,7 ± 7,5g no pré para 48,4 ± 10,5g no pós treinamento, sem mudanças para o grupo controle (44,7 ± 8 vs. 45,3 ± 9,3g). O peso corporal do grupo treinado não apresentou diferença como resultado de quatro semanas de natação em intensidade correspondente ao LL (641,0 ±62,0 para 636,0 ± 72.7g; p>0.05). Por outro lado, o grupo não treinado aumentou significativamente o PC de 614,0 ± 8,0 para 643,0 ± 74,1g. A carga máxima atingida expressa tanto em valores absolutos como relativos (%PC) aumentou significativamente após o treinamento. Conclui-se que quatro semanas de treinamento de natação em intensidade correspondente ao limiar de lactato resultou em uma melhora da aptidão aeróbia e na manutenção do peso corporal em ratos idosos.Palavras-chave: aptidão aeróbia, limiar anaeróbio, animais idosos. ABSTRACTThe effects of aerobic training at the lactate threshold (LT) intensity were analyzed in fifteen older rats (~448 days old). Both the trained (n = 9) and control (n = 6) groups were submitted to an incremental exercise test before and after four weeks of training. The incremental exercise test consisted of an initial load of 1% BM and 1% increments at each 3-min with blood lactate measurements. The LT was determined by visual inspection of the blood lactate breakpoint. The training program comprised of 30-min swimming/day, 5 days/week, loaded with 5% body mass (BM), or control without exercise. Significant increase on the LT intensity after training (pre = 4.5 ± 1.1 vs. post = 5.4 ± 0.9% BM). The maximal workload reached at the end of incremental test increased significantly from 39.7 ± 7.5 g on pre to 48.4 ± 10.5 g at post training, with no changes for the control group (44.7 ± 8 vs. 45.3 ± 9.3 g). The body mass of the trained group did not change as a result of 4 weeks of swimming at LT intensity (641.0 ± 62.0 to 636.0 ± 72.7 g; p > 0.05). On the other hand, the untrained group increased significantly the BM from 614.0 ± 80.0 to 643.0 ± 72.7 g. The maximal workload, as expressed both in relation to absolute and relative values (i.e. %BM) increased significantly only as a result of training. It was concluded that four weeks of swimming training at LT intensity resulted in aerobi...

RESUMOObjetivo: Analisar em ratos idosos os efeitos de oito semanas de treinamento aeróbio em carga correspondente ao limiar de lactato. Métodos: Dezessete ratos idosos (~ 478 dias/vida) foram divididos em Treinados (T; n=11) e Controle (C; n=6). Foram submetidos a um teste incremental antes e após 8 semanas de treinamento de natação (30 min/dia, 5/semanais, a ~5% do peso corporal) ou controle sem exercícios. O teste foi realizado com incrementos de 1% do peso corporal a cada 3 minutos até a exaustão. O limiar de lactato foi identificado por ajuste polinomial da resposta da razão lactato/carga. Após período experimental os animais foram sacrificados para cálculo da razão peso do coração/peso corporal. Resultados: O limiar de lactato não demonstrou diferença significativa com o treinamento em ambos os grupos (T:pré=5,1±0,7/pós=5,3±0,7%PC; C:pré=6,1±0,4/pós=6,4±0,6%PC;p>0,05). Quando calculada a variação do peso corporal do pré para o pós-experimento, constatou-se diferença significativa entre os grupos (T= -1,5±2,4% vs. C=6,4±3,3%;p<0,0001). Observou-se diferença de 13% da razão peso do coração/peso corporal entre grupos (T=0,29±0,04 vs. C=0,25±0,03;p<0,05). Conclusão: Embora alterações na razão peso do coração/peso corporal indiquem possíveis benefícios de eficiência cardiovascular decorrente do treinamento, a metodologia utilizada não resultou em melhora da capacidade aeróbia mensurada pelo limiar de lactato em ratos idosos.Palavras-chave: limiar anaeróbio, natação, animais idosos, treinamento ABSTRACT Eight weeks of moderate exercise training does not change the load corresponding to lactate threshold in old-age ratsObjective: To analyze in elderly rats the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training in corresponding load to the lactate threshold. Methods: Seventeen elderly rats (~ 478 days/life) had been divided in Trained (T; n=11) and Control (C; n=6). They underwent an incremental test before and after 8 weeks of swimming training (30 min/day, 5/weekly, 5% body weight) or control without exercise. Incremental test was carried out with increments of 1% body weight each 3 minutes until exhaustion. Lactate threshold was identified by polynomial adjustment of the ratio lactate/workload. After experimental period animals were sacrificed for calculation of the ratio weight of the heart/body weight. Results: lactate threshold did not demonstrate significant difference with training in both groups (T:pre=5.1±0.7/post=5.3±0.7%PC;C:pre=6.1±0.4/post=6.4±0.6 %PC;p>0.05). When calculated the variation of the body weight before and after training, significant difference between groups was evidenced (T=-1.5±2.4% vs. C=6.4±3.3%;p<0.0001). A 13% difference was observed in the ratio weight of heart/body weight between groups (T=0.29±0.04 vs. C=0.25±0.03;p<0.05). Conclusion: Although alterations in the ratio weight of heart/body weight indicate possible cardiovascular benefits because of training, the used protocol did not result in improvement of aerobic capacity evaluated by lactate threshold in elderly rats.

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