Relationship between muscle fatigue and oxygen uptake during cycle ergometer exercise with different ramp slope increments

Mechanomyography reflects the changes in oxygenated hemoglobin during electrically evoked cycling in individuals with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling has been reported to enhance muscle strength and improve muscle fatigue resistance after spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite its proposed benefits, the quantification of muscle fatigue during FES cycling remains poorly documented. This study sought to quantify the relationship between the vibrational performance of electrically-evoked muscles measured through mechanomyography (MMG) and its oxidative metabolism through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) characteristics during FES cycling in fatiguing paralyzed muscles in individuals with SCI.

METHODS

Six individuals with SCI participated in the study. They performed 30 min of FES cycling with MMG and NIRS sensors on their quadriceps throughout the cycling, and the signals were analyzed.

RESULTS

A moderate negative correlation was found between MMG root mean square (RMS) and oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb) [r = -0.38, p = 0.003], and between MMG RMS and total hemoglobin (tHb) saturation [r = -0.31, p = 0.017]. Statistically significant differences in MMG RMS, O2Hb, and tHb saturation occurred during pre- and post-fatigue of FES cycling (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MMG RMS was negatively associated with O2Hb and muscle oxygen derived from NIRS. MMG and NIRS sensors showed good inter-correlations, suggesting a promising use of MMG for characterizing metabolic fatigue at the muscle oxygenation level during FES cycling in individuals with SCI.

V̇O2 (non-)linear increase in ramp-incremental exercise vs. V̇O2 slow component in constant-power exercise: Underlying mechanisms

A computer model of the skeletal muscle bioenergetic system involving the P_i double-threshold mechanism of muscle fatigue was used to study the V̇O₂ (non-)linear increase in time in ramp-incremental exercise as compared to the V̇O₂ slow component in constant-power exercise. The P_i double-threshold mechanism applies to both constant-power and ramp-incremental exercise. The additional ATP usage is initiated at a significantly higher ATP usage activity (power output), determining the moderate/heavy exercise border, in ramp-incremental, than in constant-power exercise. A significantly lowered additional ATP usage activity or elevated glycolysis stimulation at the highest power outputs in ramp-incremental exercise in relation to constant-power exercise can additionally explain the much smaller (or zero) V̇O₂ non-linearity in ramp-incremental exercise, than V̇O₂ slow component in constant-power exercise. The V̇O₂ (non-)linearity in ramp-incremental exercise and V̇O₂ slow component in constant-power exercise is a derivative of a balance between the additional ATP usage and ATP production by anaerobic glycolysis.

A longitudinal study on the interchangeable use of whole-body and local exercise thresholds in cycling

Purpose

This study longitudinally examined the interchangeable use of critical power (CP), the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP) (i.e., whole-body thresholds), and breakpoints in muscle deoxygenation (m[HHb]_BP) and muscle activity (iEMG_BP) (i.e., local thresholds).

Methods

Twenty-one participants were tested on two timepoints (T1 and T2) with a 4-week period (study 1: 10 women, age = 27 ± 3 years, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}$$\end{document}V˙O2peak = 43.2 ± 7.3 mL min⁻¹kg⁻¹) or a 12-week period (study 2: 11 men, age = 25 ± 4 years, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}$$\end{document}V˙O2peak = 47.7 ± 5.9 mL min⁻¹ kg⁻¹) in between. The test battery included one ramp incremental test (to determine RCP, m[HHb]_BP and iEMG_BP) and a series of (sub)maximal constant load tests (to determine CP and MLSS). All thresholds were expressed as oxygen uptake (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$\end{document}V˙O2) and equivalent power output (PO) for comparison.

Results

None of the thresholds were significantly different in study 1 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$\end{document}V˙O2: P = 0.143, PO: P = 0.281), but differences between whole-body and local thresholds were observed in study 2 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$\end{document}V˙O2: P < 0.001, PO: P = 0.024). Whole-body thresholds showed better 4-week test–retest reliability (TEM = 88–125 mL min⁻¹ or 6–10 W, ICC = 0.94–0.98) compared to local thresholds (TEM = 189–195 mL min⁻¹ or 15–18 W, ICC = 0.58–0.89). All five thresholds were strongly associated at T1 and T2 (r = 0.75–0.99), but their changes from T1 to T2 were mostly uncorrelated (r = − 0.41–0.83).

Conclusion

Whole-body thresholds (CP/MLSS/RCP) showed a close and consistent coherence taking into account a 3–6%-bandwidth of typical variation. In contrast, local thresholds (m[HHb]_BP/iEMG_BP) were characterized by higher variability and did not consistently coincide with the whole-body thresholds. In addition, we found that most thresholds evolved independently of each other over time. Together, these results do not justify the interchangeable use of whole-body and local exercise thresholds in practice.

Progress Update and Challenges on V . O2max Testing and Interpretation

The maximal oxygen uptake ( V . O2max) is the primary determinant of endurance performance in heterogeneous populations and has predictive value for clinical outcomes and all-cause mortality. Accurate and precise measurement of V . O2max requires the adherence to quality control procedures, including combustion testing and the use of standardized incremental exercise protocols with a verification phase preceded by an adequate familiarization. The data averaging strategy employed to calculate the V . O2max from the breath-by-breath data can change the V . O2max value by 4-10%. The lower the number of breaths or smaller the number of seconds included in the averaging block, the higher the calculated V . O2max value with this effect being more prominent in untrained subjects. Smaller averaging strategies in number of breaths or seconds (less than 30 breaths or seconds) facilitate the identification of the plateau phenomenon without reducing the reliability of the measurements. When employing metabolic carts, averaging intervals including 15-20 breaths or seconds are preferable as a compromise between capturing the true V . O2max and identifying the plateau. In training studies, clinical interventions and meta-analysis, reporting of V . O2max in absolute values and inclusion of protocols and the averaging strategies arise as imperative to permit adequate comparisons. Newly developed correction equations can be used to normalize V . O2max to similar averaging strategies. A lack of improvement of V . O2max with training does not mean that the training program has elicited no adaptations, since peak cardiac output and mitochondrial oxidative capacity may be increased without changes in V . O2max.

Muscle V˙O2-power output nonlinearity in constant-power, step-incremental, and ramp-incremental exercise: magnitude and underlying mechanisms

A computer model of the skeletal muscle bioenergetic system was used to simulate time courses of muscle oxygen consumption (V˙O2), cytosolic metabolite (ADP, PCr, P_i, and ATP) concentrations, and pH during whole‐body constant‐power exercise (CPE) (6 min), step‐incremental exercise (SIE) (30 W/3 min), and slow (10 W/min), medium (30 W/min), and fast (50 W/min) ramp‐incremental exercise (RIE). Different ESA (each‐step activation) of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) intensity‐ATP usage activity relationships, representing different muscle fibers recruitment patterns, gave best agreement with experimental data for CPE, and for SIE and RIE. It was assumed that the muscle V˙O2‐power output (PO) nonlinearity is related to a time‐ and PO‐dependent increase in the additional ATP usage underlying the slow component of the V˙O2 on‐kinetics minus the increase in ATP supply by anaerobic glycolysis leading to a decrease in V˙O2. The muscle V˙O2‐PO relationship deviated upward (+) or downward (−) from linearity above critical power (CP), and the nonlinearity equaled +16% (CPE),+12% (SIE), +8% (slow RIE), +1% (moderate RIE), and −2% (fast RIE) at the end of exercise, in agreement with experimental data. During SIE and RIE, changes in PCr and P_i accelerated moderately above CP, while changes in ADP and pH accelerated significantly with time and PO. It is postulated that the intensity of the additional ATP usage minus ATP supply by anaerobic glycolysis determines the size of the muscle V˙O2‐PO nonlinearity. It is proposed that the extent of the additional ATP usage is proportional to the time integral of PO ‐ CP above CP.

Influence of muscle metabolic heterogeneity in determining the V̇o2p kinetic response to ramp-incremental exercise

The pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2p) response to ramp-incremental (RI) exercise increases linearly with work rate (WR) after an early exponential phase, implying that a single time constant (τ) and gain (G) describe the response. However, variability in τ and G of V̇o2p kinetics to different step increments in WR is documented. We hypothesized that the "linear" V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise results from the conflation between WR-dependent changes in τ and G. Nine men performed three or four repeats of RI exercise (30 W/min) and two step-incremental protocols consisting of four 60-W increments beginning from 20 W or 50 W. During testing, breath-by-breath V̇o2p was measured by mass spectrometry and volume turbine. For each individual, the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with exponential functions containing either constant or variable τ and G values. A relationship between τ and G vs. WR was determined from the step-incremental protocols to derive the variable model parameters. τ and G increased from 21 ± 5 to 98 ± 20 s and from 8.7 ± 0.6 to 12.0 ± 1.9 ml·min(-1)·W(-1) for WRs of 20-230 W, respectively, and were best described by a second-order (τ) and a first-order (G) polynomial function of WR (lowest Akaike information criterion score). The sum of squared residuals was not different (P > 0.05) when the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with either the constant or variable models, indicating that they described the response equally well. Results suggest that τ and G increase progressively with WR during RI exercise. Importantly, these relationships may conflate to produce a linear V̇o2p-WR response, emphasizing the influence of metabolic heterogeneity in determining the apparent V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise.

The electromyographic threshold in boys and men

BACKGROUND

Children have been shown to have higher lactate (LaTh) and ventilatory (VeTh) thresholds than adults, which might be explained by lower levels of type-II motor-unit (MU) recruitment. However, the electromyographic threshold (EMGTh), regarded as indicating the onset of accelerated type-II MU recruitment, has been investigated only in adults.

PURPOSE

To compare the relative exercise intensity at which the EMGTh occurs in boys versus men.

METHODS

Participants were 21 men (23.4 ± 4.1 years) and 23 boys (11.1 ± 1.1 years), with similar habitual physical activity and peak oxygen consumption (VO2pk) (49.7 ± 5.5 vs. 50.1 ± 7.4 ml kg(-1) min(-1), respectively). Ramped cycle ergometry was conducted to volitional exhaustion with surface EMG recorded from the right and left vastus lateralis muscles throughout the test (~10 min). The composite right-left EMG root mean square (EMGRMS) was then calculated per pedal revolution. The EMGTh was then determined as the exercise intensity at the point of least residual sum of squares for any two regression line divisions of the EMGRMS plot.

RESULTS

EMGTh was detected in 20/21 of the men (95.2 %) and only in 18/23 of the boys (78.3 %). The boys' EMGTh was significantly higher than the men's (86.4 ± 9.6 vs. 79.7 ± 10.0 % of peak power output at exhaustion; p < 0.05). The pattern was similar when EMGTh was expressed as percentage of VO2pk.

CONCLUSIONS

The boys' higher EMGTh suggests delayed and hence lesser utilization of type-II MUs in progressive exercise, compared with men. The boys-men EMGTh differences were of similar magnitude as those shown for LaTh and VeTh, further suggesting a common underlying factor.

The impact of pedal rate on muscle oxygenation, muscle activation and whole-body VO₂ during ramp exercise in healthy subjects

PURPOSE

The aim of this project was to study the impact of pedal rate on breakpoints in muscle oxygenation (deoxy[Hb + Mb] and total[Hb + Mb]) and activation (iEMG and MPF) at high intensities during ramp exercise.

METHODS

Twelve physically active students performed incremental ramp exercises at 60 rpm, starting either at 50 or 80 W (i.e., 60rpm50 and 60rpm80), and at 100 rpm, starting at 50 W (100rpm50). Pulmonary VO2, muscle activation (iEMG and MPF) and oxygenation were recorded with EMG and NIRS, respectively. IEMG, MPF, deoxy[Hb + Mb] and total[Hb + Mb] were expressed as functions of work rate (WR) and pulmonary VO2 (%VO2peak) and analyzed with double-linear models.

RESULTS

The breakpoints (BP) of iEMG, MPF, total[Hb + Mb] and deoxy[Hb + Mb] in %VO2peak did not differ among the pedal rate conditions (P > 0.05), whereas the BPs in WR were significantly lower in 100rpm50 compared to 60rpm50 and 60rpm80 (P < 0.01). Across the pedal rate conditions the BP (in %VO2peak) of total[Hb + Mb] (82.7 ± 1.5 %VO2peak) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared to the BP in iEMG (84.3 ± 1.7 %VO2peak) and MPF (84.2 ± 1.6 %VO2peak), whereas the BP in deoxy[Hb + Mb] (87.4 ± 1.4 %VO2peak) and respiratory compensation point (89.9 ± 1.8 %VO2peak) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to the BP in total[Hb + Mb], iEMG and MPF. Additionally, the BPs in iEMG, MPF, total[Hb + Mb] and deoxy[Hb + Mb], and the RCP were highly correlated (r > 0.90; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that muscle activation and oxygenation at high intensities during incremental exercise are related to pulmonary VO2 rather than external WR, with a close interrelationship between that muscle activation, oxygenation and pulmonary VO2.

Metabolic parameters for ramp versus step incremental cycle ergometer tests

The purpose of this study was to examine mean differences and the patterns of responses for oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O(2)), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for ramp (15 W·min(-1)) versus step (30 W increments every 2 min) incremental cycle ergometer tests. Fourteen subjects (age and body mass of 23.2 ± 3.1 (mean ± SD ) years and 71.1 ± 10.1 kg, respectively) visited the laboratory on separate occasions. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs with appropriate follow-up procedures, as well as paired t tests, were used to analyze the data. In addition, polynomial regression analyses were used to determine the patterns of responses for each dependent variable for the ramp and step tests. The ramp protocol resulted in lower mean [Formula: see text]O(2) and HR values at the common power outputs than the step protocol with no differences in RPE. The increased amount of work performed during the step (total work = 75.83 kJ) versus ramp (total work = 65.60 kJ) tests at the common power outputs may have contributed to the greater [Formula: see text]O(2) and HR values. The polynomial regression analyses showed that most subjects had the same patterns of responses for the ramp and step incremental tests for HR (86%) and RPE (93%) but different patterns for [Formula: see text]O(2) (71%). The findings from the present study suggested that the protocol selection for an incremental cycle ergometer test can affect the mean values for [Formula: see text]O(2) and HR, as well as the [Formula: see text]O(2) - power output relationship.

Why peak power is higher at the end of steeper ramps: an explanation based on the "critical power" concept

Experimental studies have consistently reported higher peak power outputs at the termination of steeper ramp exercises. One explanation can be deduced from oxygen uptake kinetics. This short communication offers an alternative explanation based on the "critical power" concept of human bioenergetics. Algebraic, calculus, and geometric aspects of this explanation are all detailed, and it is illustrated with data from a previous study.

Aerobic–anaerobic transition intensity measured via EMG signals in athletes with different physical activity patterns

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of electromyographic signals (EMG), to determine the EMG threshold (EMGT) in four lower extremity muscles and to compare these thresholds with the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) in subjects participating in different sports and at different performance levels. Forty-nine subjects (23.8 +/- 5.7 years, 182.7 +/- 5.3 cm, 79.1 +/- 8.6 kg) including eleven cyclists, ten team-handball players, nine kayakers, eight power lifters and eleven controls were investigated utilizing a cycle ergometer. Respiratory gas exchange measures were collected and EMG activity was continuously recorded from four muscles (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateralis). The VO(2)max averaged 56.1 +/- 11.1 ml kg(-1) min(-1), the average aerobic power was 348.5 +/- 61.0 W and the corresponding VT2 occurred at 271.4 +/- 64.0 W. The EMGT ranged from 80 to 98% of power output for the different muscles. The VT2 and EMG thresholds from four different muscles were not different. When thresholds were analyzed among different groups of subjects, no significant difference was observed between VT2 and EMGT despite threshold differences between the groups. All four EMGT were significantly related to maximal aerobic power (r = 0.73-0.83) and were highly correlated to each other (r = 0.57-0.88). In conclusion, EMGT can be used to determine the VT2 for individuals independent of sport specificity or performance level.

Assessment of muscle fatigue using sonomyography: muscle thickness change detected from ultrasound images

Muscle fatigue is an exercise-induced reduction in maximal voluntary muscle force. As the surface electromyography (SEMG) can be used to estimate the features of neuromuscular activations associated with muscle contractions, it has been widely employed as an objective tool to evaluate muscle fatigue. On the other hand, ultrasound imaging can inherently provide the morphological information of individual muscle, thus the architectural changes of muscles during fatigue can be obtained. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of using the dimensional change of muscles detected by ultrasound images, named as sonomyography (SMG), to characterize the behavior of muscles when they were in fatigue. The SEMG signals of the muscles were also recorded simultaneously and used for comparison. The right biceps brachii muscles of 8 normal young male adult subjects were tested for 30s under 80% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. The muscle fatigue was indicated by the change of the root-mean-square (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) of the SEMG signals. The results showed that the SEMG RMS had a linear increase with time with a rate of 2.9+/-1.9%/s (mean+/-S.D.), while the MDF decreased linearly with a rate of -0.60+/-0.26Hz/s. The muscle thickness, detected from the ultrasound images, continuously increased during the muscle fatigue but with a nonlinear increase with time, which was rapid during the initial 8.1+/-2.1s with a mean deformation rate of 0.30+/-0.19%/s and then became slower with a rate of 0.067+/-0.024%/s up to 20s after the contraction. The muscle deformation at 20s was 3.5+/-1.6%. The results demonstrated that the architectural change of muscles detected using SMG could potentially provide complementary information for SEMG for the muscle fatigue assessment.

The effects of innervation zone on electromyographic amplitude and mean power frequency during incremental cycle ergometry

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electrode placements over the innervation zone (IZ), as well as proximal and distal to the IZ, on the patterns for the absolute and normalized electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus power output relationships during incremental cycle ergometry. Fifteen men [mean +/- S.D. age = 24.3 +/- 2.4 years; VO2max = 47.3 +/- 4.9 ml kg(-1) min(-1)] performed incremental cycle ergometry tests to exhaustion. Surface EMG signals were recorded simultaneously from bipolar electrode arrangements placed on the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle over the IZ, as well as proximal and distal to the IZ. Polynomial regression analyses were used to describe the relationships for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude (microVrms and %max) and MPF (Hz and %max) versus power output (%max) for each subject at the three electrode placement sites. In addition, separate one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine mean differences between the three sites for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and MPF at power outputs of 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. The results of the polynomial regression analyses revealed that the best fit model for each site for the absolute and normalized EMG amplitude versus power output relationship was linear for 11 subjects and quadratic for 2 subjects. The remaining two subjects exhibited both linear and quadratic patterns that were site-dependent. For EMG MPF, 10 subjects exhibited significant relationships (linear and/or quadratic) across power outputs for at least one site. In addition, there were significant (P < 0.05) mean differences between the electrode placement sites for absolute EMG amplitude, but not absolute EMG MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. There were no significant (P > 0.05) mean differences, however, between the three sites for normalized EMG amplitude or MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. These findings indicated that the placement of bipolar electrodes over the IZ, as well as proximal and distal to the IZ, had no effect on the pattern of the normalized EMG amplitude versus power output relationship or the mean normalized EMG amplitude and MPF values. Thus, during cycle ergometry, normalized EMG amplitude values (but not absolute values) can be compared between studies that have utilized various electrode placement sites on the VL.

Breathing strategy in master athletes and untrained elderly subjects according to the incremental protocol

To analyze the influence of step-duration protocol (1 vs. 3 min) on breathing strategy according to the physical fitness of healthy elderly subjects, this study compared the ventilatory responses and exercise tidal flow-volume loops (ETFVL) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1and VT2). Nineteen master athletes (mean age (± SD), 63.1 ± 3.2 y; [Formula: see text]O2 max, 41.5 mL·(min·kg)-1) and 8 untrained elderly subjects (age, 65.5 ± 2.3 y; [Formula: see text]O2 max, 25.8 mL·(min·kg)-1) performed 2 exhaustive exercise tests on a cycle ergometer. In untrained subjects, at VT1and VT2, no significant difference was measured in ventilatory responses and ETFVL between protocols. Master athletes, at VT2, presented a significantly higher [Formula: see text]CO2(P < 0.01), ventilation ([Formula: see text]E; P < 0.01), breathing frequency (fb; P < 0.05), tidal volume relative to inspiratory capatcity (Vt/IC) (P < 0.01),Vtrelative to forced vital capacity (Vt/FVC; P < 0.05), and lower inspiratory reserve volume relative to FVC (IRV/FVC; P < 0.01) during the 1 min protocol than during the 3 min protocol. Master athletes, at maximal exercise, expressed significantly higher [Formula: see text]CO2(P < 0.01) and dyspnea (P < 0.05) with the shorter protocol. We concluded that, in untrained subjects, neither incremental exercise test had an impact on respiratory responses during exercise. Nevertheless, in master athletes, breathing strategy seems to be protocol dependent. The short test induced higher mechanical ventilatory constraints and dyspneic feeling than the long protocol, which could be explained by a higher [Formula: see text]E itself linked to a greater [Formula: see text]CO2and a higher blood lactate concentration.Key words: exercise flow-volume loops, master athletes, submaximal exercise, mechanical ventilatory constraints.

The effects of interelectrode distance on electromyographic amplitude and mean power frequency during incremental cycle ergometry

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of interelectrode distance (IED) on the relationships of absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and mean power frequency (MPF) versus power output during incremental cycle ergometry. Eleven adults (mean +/- S.D. age = 24.2 +/- 2.6 y; V(O2max) = 49.4 +/- 8.3 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) performed incremental cycle ergometry tests. Surface EMG signals were recorded simultaneously from bipolar electrode arrangements placed over the VL muscle with IEDs of 20, 40, and 60 mm. Polynomial regression analyses were used to describe the relationships for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude (muV(rms) and % max) and MPF (Hz and % max) versus power output (%max) for each subject at the three IEDs. In addition, separate one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine mean differences between the three IEDs for absolute and normalized EMG amplitude and MPF at power outputs of 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. The results of the polynomial regression revealed that the best fit model for each IED for the absolute and normalized EMG amplitude was linear for six of the 11 subjects and quadratic for five of the subjects. For EMG MPF, four of the 11 subjects exhibited significant relationships (linear or quadratic) across power outputs for at least one IED. The one-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant mean differences between the IEDs for absolute EMG amplitude and MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. There were no significant mean differences, however, between the IEDs for normalized EMG amplitude or MPF at 80, 110, 140, and 170 W. The results of the study indicated that there were no consistent patterns of responses between individual subjects for EMG amplitude or MPF versus power output relationships for IEDs of 20, 40, and 60 mm during incremental cycle ergometry. The current findings supported the process of normalization for EMG amplitude and MPF data obtained during cycle ergometry when comparisons are made for different IEDs.

Effects of ATP-induced leg vasodilation on VO2 peak and leg O2 extraction during maximal exercise in humans

During maximal whole body exercise VO2 peak is limited by O2 delivery. In turn, it is though that blood flow at near-maximal exercise must be restrained by the sympathetic nervous system to maintain mean arterial pressure. To determine whether enhancing vasodilation across the leg results in higher O2 delivery and leg VO2 during near-maximal and maximal exercise in humans, seven men performed two maximal incremental exercise tests on the cycle ergometer. In random order, one test was performed with and one without (control exercise) infusion of ATP (8 mg in 1 ml of isotonic saline solution) into the right femoral artery at a rate of 80 microg.kg body mass-1.min-1. During near-maximal exercise (92% of VO2 peak), the infusion of ATP increased leg vascular conductance (+43%, P<0.05), leg blood flow (+20%, 1.7 l/min, P<0.05), and leg O2 delivery (+20%, 0.3 l/min, P<0.05). No effects were observed on leg or systemic VO2. Leg O2 fractional extraction was decreased from 85+/-3 (control) to 78+/-4% (ATP) in the infused leg (P<0.05), while it remained unchanged in the left leg (84+/-2 and 83+/-2%; control and ATP; n=3). ATP infusion at maximal exercise increased leg vascular conductance by 17% (P<0.05), while leg blood flow tended to be elevated by 0.8 l/min (P=0.08). However, neither systemic nor leg peak VO2 values where enhanced due to a reduction of O2 extraction from 84+/-4 to 76+/-4%, in the control and ATP conditions, respectively (P<0.05). In summary, the VO2 of the skeletal muscles of the lower extremities is not enhanced by limb vasodilation at near-maximal or maximal exercise in humans. The fact that ATP infusion resulted in a reduction of O2 extraction across the exercising leg suggests a vasodilating effect of ATP on less-active muscle fibers and other noncontracting tissues and that under normal conditions these regions are under high vasoconstrictor influence to ensure the most efficient flow distribution of the available cardiac output to the most active muscle fibers of the exercising limb.

Effect of posture on high-intensity constant-load cycling performance in men and women

The time sustained during a graded cycle exercise is approximately 10% longer in an upright compared with a supine posture. However, during constant-load cycling this effect is unknown. Therefore, we tested the postural effect on the performance of high-intensity constant-load cycling. Twenty-two active subjects (11 men, 11 women) performed two graded tests (one upright, one supine), and of those 22, 10 subjects (5 men, 5 women) performed three high-intensity constant-load tests (one upright, two supine). To test the postural effect on performance at the same absolute intensity, during the upright and one of the supine constant-load tests subjects cycled at 80% of the peak power output achieved during the upright graded test. To test the postural effect on performance at the same relative intensities, during the second supine test subjects cycled at 80% of the peak power output achieved during the supine graded test. Exercise time on the graded and absolute intensity constant-load tests for all subjects was greater (P<0.05) in the upright compared with supine posture (17.9+/-3.5 vs. 16.1+/-3.1 min for graded; 13.2+/-8.7 vs. 5.2+/-1.9 min for constant-load). This postural effect at the same absolute intensity was larger in men (19.4+/-8.5 upright vs. 6.6+/-1.6 supine, P<0.001) than women (7.1+/-2 upright vs. 3.9+/-1.4 supine, P>0.05) and it was correlated (P<0.05) with both the difference in VO2 between positions during the first minute of exercise (r=0.67) and the height of the subjects (r=0.72). In conclusion, there is a very large postural effect on performance during constant-load cycling exercise and this effect is significantly larger in men than women.

Mean power frequency and amplitude of the mechanomyographic and electromyographic signals during incremental cycle ergometry

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationships for mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude, MMG mean power frequency (MPF), electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, and EMG MPF versus power output during incremental cycle ergometry. Seventeen adults volunteered to perform an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. The test began at 50 W and the power output was increased by 30 W every 2 min until the subject could no longer maintain 70 rev min(-1). The MMG and EMG signals were recorded simultaneously from the vastus lateralis during the final 10 s of each power output and analyzed. MMG amplitude, MMG MPF, EMG amplitude, EMG MPF, and power output were normalized as a percentage of the maximal value from the cycle ergometer test. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that MMG amplitude increased (P<0.05) linearly across power output, but there was no change (P>0.05) in MMG MPF. EMG amplitude and MPF were fit best (P<0.05) with quadratic models. These results demonstrated dissociations among the time and frequency domains of MMG and EMG signals, which may provide information about motor control strategies during incremental cycle ergometry. The patterns for amplitude and frequency of the MMG signal may be useful for examining the relationship between motor-unit recruitment and firing rate during dynamic tasks.

The salivary amylase, lactate and electromyographic response to exercise

Twelve trained young males (age: 24 +/- 5 years) performed an incremental test to exhaustion during which capillary blood and saliva samples were obtained to determine the blood lactate (LT) and salivary amylase (T(sa)) thresholds. The root mean-square voltage of electromyographic activity (rms-EMG) of the vastus lateralis muscle was also recorded to detect the electromyographic threshold (EMG(T)). No significant difference was found between the exercise intensity corresponding to the LT, T(sa) or EMG(T).

Analysis of the aerobic-anaerobic transition in elite cyclists during incremental exercise with the use of electromyography

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the validity and reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) as a new non-invasive determinant of the metabolic response to incremental exercise in elite cyclists. The relation between EMG activity and other more conventional methods for analysing the aerobic-anaerobic transition such as blood lactate measurements (lactate threshold (LT) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA)) and ventilatory parameters (ventilatory thresholds 1 and 2 (VT1 and VT2)) was studied.

METHODS

Twenty eight elite road cyclists (age 24 (4) years; VO2MAX 69.9 (6.4) ml/kg/min; values mean (SD)) were selected as subjects. Each of them performed a ramp protocol (starting at 0 W, with increases of 5 W every 12 seconds) on a cycle ergometer (validity study). In addition, 15 of them performed the same test twice (reliability study). During the tests, data on gas exchange and blood lactate levels were collected to determine VT1, VT2, LT, and OBLA. The root mean squares of EMG signals (rms-EMG) were recorded from both the vastus lateralis and the rectus femoris at each intensity using surface electrodes.

RESULTS

A two threshold response was detected in the rms-EMG recordings from both muscles in 90% of subjects, with two breakpoints, EMGT1 and EMGT2, at around 60-70% and 80-90% of VO2MAX respectively. The results of the reliability study showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between mean values of EMGT1 and EMGT2 obtained in both tests. Furthermore, no significant differences (p > 0.05) existed between mean values of EMGT1, in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, and VT1 and LT (62.8 (14.5) and 69.0 (6.2) and 64.6 (6.4) and 68.7 (8.2)% of VO2MAX respectively), or between mean values of EMGT2, in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, and VT2 and OBLA (86.9 (9.0) and 88.0 (6.2) and 84.6 (6.5) and 87.7 (6.4)% of VO2MAX respectively).

CONCLUSION

rms-EMG may be a useful complementary non-invasive method for analysing the aerobic-anaerobic transition (ventilatory and lactate thresholds) in elite cyclists.

Electromyographic response to exercise in cardiac transplant patients: a new method for anaerobic threshold determination?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible use of integrated surface electromyography (iEMG) in cardiac transplant patients (CTPs) as a new noninvasive determinant of the metabolic response to exercise by studying the relationship between the iEMG threshold (iEMGT) and other more conventional methods for anaerobic threshold (AT) determination, such as the lactate threshold (LT) and the ventilatory threshold (VT). Thirteen patients (age: 57+/-7 years, mean+/-SD; height: 163+/-7 cm; body mass: 70.5+/-8.6 kg; posttransplant time: 87+/-49 weeks) were selected as subjects. Each of them performed a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer (starting at 0 W, the workload was increased in 10 W/min). During the tests, gas exchange data, blood lactate levels, and iEMG of the vastus lateralis were collected to determine VT, LT, and iEMGT, respectively. The results evidenced no significant difference between mean values of VT, LT, or iEMGT, when expressed either as oxygen uptake (11.1+/-2.4, 11.7+/-2.3, and 11.0+/-2.8 mL/kg/min, respectively) or as percent maximum oxygen uptake (61.6+/-7.5, 62.2+/-7.7, and 59.6+/-8.2%, respectively). In conclusion, our findings suggest that iEMG might be used as a complementary, noninvasive method for AT determination in CTPs. In addition, since the aerobic impairment of these patients is largely due to peripheral limitation, determination of iEMGT could be used to assess the effectiveness of an exercise rehabilitation program to improve muscle aerobic capacity in CTPs.

Effect of acute normobaric hypoxia on quadriceps integrated electromyogram and blood metabolites during incremental exercise to exhaustion

This investigation analysed the effects of environmental hypoxia (EU) on changes in quadriceps integrated electromyogram (iEMG) and metabolite accumulation during incremental cycle ergometry. Trained male subjects (n = 14) were required to complete two maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) tests, one test during EH (F(1)0(2) = 0.135), the other during normoxia (F(1)0(2) = 0.2093). The EMG were recorded at each exercise intensity from the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscles over 60 cycle revolutions. Mean integral values were then calculated. Blood was collected from the radial vein of consenting subjects (n = 8) at the end of each exercise intensity. Oxygen saturation of arterial blood (S(a)O(2)) was estimated using pulse oximetry. Gas exchange variables were collected on-line every 15 s. The results indicated that, without exception, EH significantly reduced total exercise time. Mean time to exhaustion in EH was 26.34 (SD 2.58) min compared with 35.25 (SD 4.21) min during N. The S(a)O(2) values indicated that severe arterial desaturation had been achieved by EH. Mean values for VO(2max) obtained in EH were 49 ml*kg* min(-1), compared with 59 ml*kg*min(-1) attained in N. Plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations were both significantly higher in EH. Increases in lactate and ammonia concentration were highly correlated in both N and EH. The onset of plasma lactate and ammonia accumulation occurred at the same exercise intensity in N. The iEMG responses of all three quadriceps muscles tended to be greater in the EH trials, although this difference was not significant. The basis for iEMG nonsignificance may have been related to large within sample variation in iEMG, sample size and the severity of the hypoxia induced.

Reproducibility and validity of the quadriceps muscle integrated electromyogram threshold during incremental cycle ergometry

The principle aims of this research were, firstly, to determine if the relationship between integrated electromyography (iEMG) and exercise intensity was linear or threshold-like, and secondly, to determine if the relationship between iEMG and exercise intensity was repeatable on different test occasions. A group of 20 trained male subjects participated in the study. Each subject completed two incremental exercise tests on a Monark cycle ergometer. The tests were identical and separated from each other by a mean period of 42 (SD 12) h. The EMG signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscles at each intensity using surface electrodes. The relationship between iEMG and intensity was shown to be linear (r = 0.95 to r = 0.98) with no obvious iEMG thresholds present. The gradients of simple regression lines fitted to the iEMG compared to intensity were not significantly different on the retest occasion (CV 9%-12%). In summary, the findings of this study indicated that, during incremental exercise, the relationship between iEMG of the quadriceps musculature and exercise intensity was linear and not threshold-like. Furthermore, the linear relationship between iEMG and workload was repeatable on different test occasions.

Electromyographic fatigue thresholds of the superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the thresholds of neuromuscular fatigue determined simultaneously from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles using the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) test. Eight adult volunteers [mean (SD) age, 33 (10) years] served as subjects for this investigation. The results of a one-way repeated measured ANOVA indicated that there was a significant (P < 0.05) difference among the mean EMGFT values for the VL [248(31)W], VM [223(43)W] and RF [220(30)W] muscles. Tukey post-hoc comparisons indicated that the EMGFT for the RF was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of the VL. These findings suggested that during cycle ergometry there is a dissociation in neuromuscular fatigue characteristics of the superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris group.

Cardiorespiratory effects of weight reduction by exercise in middle-aged women with obesity

The cardiorespiratory responses to weight reduction due to physical exercise were examined in fourteen women with obesity, aged 36 to 67 years (Body Mass Index, 32.4 +/- 1.5 kg/m2). The patients were instructed to exercise at approximately 60% of maximum oxygen uptake for 2 h every day for approximately 3 months. To evaluate physical strength, a graded cycling exercise test was performed both before and after the exercise period, monitoring gas exchange, ventilation, and heart rate. After the exercise period the body mass index and percentage fat both decreased by 11% and 18%, respectively (P < 0.001), although lean body mass did not change; maximum oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate did not change significantly, but peak ventilation equivalent, maximum metabolic equivalent and maximum load increased by 12%, 14% and 11%, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Maximum oxygen uptake per unit body weight increased by 5% (P < 0.001). These results suggest that weight reduction as a result of exercise improves cardiorespiratory function in middle-aged women with obesity.

Neuromuscular fatigue during prolonged pedalling exercise at different pedalling rates

The purpose of this study was to estimate the differences in neuromuscular fatigue among prolonged pedalling exercises performed at different pedalling rates at a given exercise intensity. The integrated electromyogram (iEMG) slope defined by the changes in iEMG as a function of time during exercise was adopted as the measurement for estimating neuromuscular fatigue. The results of this experiment showed that the relationship between pedalling rate and the means of the iEMG slopes for eight subjects was a quadratic curve and the mean value at 70 rpm [1.56 (SD 0.65) microV.min-1] was significantly smaller (P < 0.01) than that at 50 and 60 rpm [2.25 (SD 0.54), and 2.22 (SD 0.68), respectively]. On the other hand, the mean value of oxygen consumption obtained simultaneously showed a tendency to increase linearly with the increase in pedalling rate, and the values at 70 and 80 rpm were significantly higher than those at 40 and 50 rpm. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the degree of neuromuscular fatigue estimated by the iEMG changes for five periods of prolonged pedalling exercise at a given exercise intensity was different among the different pedalling rates, and that the pedalling rate at which minimal neuromuscular fatigue was obtained was not coincident with the rate at which the minimal oxygen consumption was obtained, but was coincident with the rate which most subjects preferred. These findings would suggest that the reason why most people prefer a relative higher pedalling rate, even though higher oxygen consumption is required, is closely related to the development of neuromuscular fatigue in the working muscles.