Relationship of post-exercise muscle oxygenation and duration of cycling exercise

Abstract

BackgroundAerobic adaptations following interval training are supposed to be mediated by increased local blood supply. However, knowledge is scarce on the detailed relationship between exercise duration and local post-exercise blood supply and oxygen availability. This study aimed to examine the effect of five different exercise durations, ranging from 30 to 240 s, on post-exercise muscle oxygenation and relative changes in hemoglobin concentration.MethodsHealthy male subjects (N = 18) performed an experimental protocol of five exercise bouts (30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 s) at 80 % of peak oxygen uptake in a randomized order, separated by 5-min recovery periods. To examine the influence of aerobic fitness, we compared subjects with gas exchange thresholds (GET) above 60 % (GET60+) with subjects reaching GET below 60 % (GET60−). and relative changes in concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, and total hemoglobin were continuously measured with near-infrared spectroscopy of the vastus lateralis muscle.ResultsPost-exercise oxygen availability and local blood supply increased significantly until the 90-s exercise duration and reached a plateau thereafter. Considering aerobic fitness, the GET60+ group reached maximum post-exercise oxygen availability earlier (60 s) than the GET60− group (90 s).ConclusionsOur results suggest that (1) 90 s has evolved as the minimum interval duration to enhance local oxygen availability and blood supply following cycling exercise at 80 % ; whereas (2) 60 s is sufficient to trigger the same effects in subjects with GET60 + .

The Effect of Static Stretching Duration on Muscle Blood Volume and Oxygenation

“…These adaptive microcirculation responses after stretching are similar to the responses observed after arterial occlusion (10) and exercise (15,28,34). It has been speculated that poststretching hyperemia may contribute to the loss of myogenic tone and accumulation of vasodilator metabolites (15,28,34). This study also showed a similar reaction with a rapid increase in DtHb and DTOI after stretching.…”

Central and Peripheral Oxygen Distribution in Two Different Modes of Interval Training

“…We have shown in previous studies that isolated 30 s work intervals might lead to lower cardiovascular responses compared to 3 min work intervals [23]. However, repeated 30 s work-interval bouts could nevertheless be effective in a similar way compared to longer interval durations.…”

“…In general, a better microvascular O 2 distribution is indicated by a lower ∆HHb/∆VO 2 ratio. This method was used previously in relation to microvascular O 2 adjustment during exercise on-transient [8,22] as well as a description of microvascular O 2 availability during and after exercise [11,23,24].…”

A Subject-Tailored Variability-Based Platform for Overcoming the Plateau Effect in Sports Training: A Narrative Review

“…In one study, 18 subjects performed 5 exercise bouts (30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 s) at 80% of peak oxygen uptake separated by 5 min recovery periods. Post-exercise oxygen availability and local blood supply increased significantly until the 90 s bout and plateaued thereafter [28]. Exercise intensities of ≥80% VO 2 peak induce the highest post-exercise oxygen availability locally.…”