Contribution of phosphocreatine and aerobic metabolism to energy supply during repeated sprint exercise

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of phosphocreatine (PCr) and aerobic metabolism during repeated bouts of sprint exercise. Eight male subjects performed two cycle ergometer sprints separated by 4 min of recovery during two separate main trials. Sprint 1 lasted 30 s during both main trials, whereas sprint 2 lasted either 10 or 30 s. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest, immediately after the first 30-s sprint, after 3.8 min of recovery, and after the second 10- and 30-s sprints. At the end of sprint 1, PCr was 16.9 +/- 1.4% of the resting value, and muscle pH dropped to 6.69 +/- 0.02. After 3.8 min of recovery, muscle pH remained unchanged (6.80 +/- 0.03), but PCr was resynthesized to 78.7 +/- 3.3% of the resting value. PCr during sprint 2 was almost completely utilized in the first 10 s and remained unchanged thereafter. High correlations were found between the percentage of PCr resynthesis and the percentage recovery of power output and pedaling speed during the initial 10 s of sprint 2 (r = 0.84, P < 0.05 and r = 0.91, P < 0.01). The anaerobic ATP turnover, as calculated from changes in ATP, PCr, and lactate, was 235 +/- 9 mmol/kg dry muscle during the first sprint but was decreased to 139 +/- 7 mmol/kg dry muscle during the second 30-s sprint, mainly as a result of a approximately 45% decrease in glycolysis. Despite this approximately 41% reduction in anaerobic energy, the total work done during the second 30-s sprint was reduced by only approximately 18%. This mismatch between anaerobic energy release and power output during sprint 2 was partly compensated for by an increased contribution of aerobic metabolism, as calculated from the increase in oxygen uptake during sprint 2 (2.68 +/- 0.10 vs. 3.17 +/- 0.13 l/min; sprint 1 vs. sprint 2; P < 0.01). These data suggest that aerobic metabolism provides a significant part (approximately 49%) of the energy during the second sprint, whereas PCr availability is important for high power output during the initial 10 s.

Estimation of Relationship between Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Repeated Sprint Ability of Male Handball Players

“…These data are consistent with the previous finding that aerobic mechanisms contribute significant amounts of energy after the first bout (Bogdanis et al 1996) and therefore an enhanced oxidative capacity would be an advantage during repeated sprint activities [8]. In addition, if endurance trained individuals are capable of faster lactate clearance (Bassett et al 1991); there should be some advantage because of an attenuated decrement in force in successive bouts [13].…”

“…In handball repeated sprint occur during a game were the players ran without fatigue. This clearly shows that repeated sprint require a greater aerobic fitness component with each successive sprint bouts [8][9]. Previous studies have concluded the aerobic metabolic pathways contribute an increasingly larger portion of ATP when high intensity bouts are repeated in succession [10-11-12].…”

Time-motion analysis of work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer

“…Glycolytic and aerobic sources have been shown to contribute to the energy required during a Wingate test after the first 5s of exercise (Smith & Hill, 1991). Aerobic sources have been shown to provide some of the energy for repeated sprints performed on cycle ergometer equipment (Bogdanis et al, 1996). Scaling the results of the current study up from the 15 minute observation period used to 90 minutes suggests that the average outfield player performs 18 bursts of 10 s or more that may derive energy from both aerobic and anaerobic sources.…”

Energy System Interaction and Relative Contribution During Maximal Exercise

“…In contrast to these rather low estimates, 5 studies that used the accumulated oxygen deficit to quantify energy supply reported values between 23 to 33% for 30 seconds of maximal, exhaustive exercise. [26,62,[66][67][68] In line with these estimates, Bogdanis et al, [69] using direct muscle measures, reported a 29% aerobic contribution. Interestingly, when a second maximal 30-second sprint was performed after 4 minutes of passive recovery, the estimated aerobic contribution increased to 44%.…”