Effects of Eight Weeks of Bicycle Ergometer Sprint Training on Human Muscle Buffer Capacity

Abstract

This investigation was undertaken to determine whether human skeletal muscle buffer capacity (BCm) is affected by training. Eight untrained males participated in 8 weeks of sprint training on bicycle ergometers. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis before and at several times following an incremental bicycle ergometer test (0 min, 5 min, 15 min). These subjects were tested before (PRE) and following (POST) the training period. Seven endurance-trained cyclists (ET) were also tested for the purpose of comparing the BCm of ET to that of PRE and POST. Biopsy samples were quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen and later analyzed for lactate concentration (HLam), homogenate pH (pHm), and creatine phosphate concentration. BCm was calculated from the change in HLam and pHm observed from rest to exhaustion and was expressed as mmol X kg-1 X pH-1 (Slykes). There was no significant difference in resting HLam or resting pHm among the groups. There was a significant difference in HLam at exhaustion between PRE (21.41 +/- 1.65 mmol X kg-1), POST (25.61 +/- 2.38 mmol X kg-1), and ET (11.16 +/- 0.31 mmol X kg-1) but no significant difference in pHm at exhaustion between PRE (6.65 +/- 0.03 pH units) and POST (6.69 +/- 0.06 pH units). pHm at exhaustion for the ET group was significantly higher than the others at 6.91 +/- 0.02 pH units. A significant difference between PRE and POST BCm was found (PRE: 44.68 +/- 3.03 S1; POST: 61.04 +/- 4.11 S1) while ET BCm (47.21 +/- 7.26 S1) was not significantly different from PRE. These data indicate that muscle buffer capacity is increased with highly intense sprint training but provide no evidence to suggest that muscle buffer capacity is affected by endurance training.

Roller-Ski Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Cross-Country Skiers

“…Our results suggest that the aerobic high-intensity interval training with rollerski promote increases in anaerobic capacity in cross-country skiers. This finding corroborate that of Sharp et al [1986] [25], who reported that high-intensity sprint training has significant influences in anaerobic energy production and power production. To understand the importance of the aerobic and anaerobic capacity in sprint skiing is still need more research [9].…”

The Relationship between the Isocapnic Buffering Phase and Ventilatory Threshold in Endurance Athletes and Team Sport Athletes during an Incremental Exercise Test

“…This finding is supported by increases in the muscle buffer capacity in response to high-intensity interval training (35). In addition, sprint training has been reported to increase the muscle buffer capacity, whereas endurance training showed no effect (36). Presumably, the anaerobic training stimulus for team sport athletes may have been to enhance the ICB phase, which may be attributable to the improvement of the buffering capacity as the contributing factor to the tolerance of high-intensity exercise.…”

Effects of Oral Creatine Supplementation on Performance and Muscle Metabolism During Maximal Exercise 484

“…This reaction accounts for a significant portion of the theoretical buffering capacity of hydrogen ions in exercising muscle (35). The accumulation of hydrogen ions has been proposed as a possible cause of muscle fatigue (26).…”

“…Some researchers suggest that the PCr concentration in muscle is increased by endurance training (4,11,40). Other findings suggest that the PCr level may be enhanced by sprint training (10,35) or find no change in muscle creatine concentration with sprint training (17). Furthermore, sprint training induces hypertrophy, which should cause an increased total creatine concentration of muscle.…”