This study assessed the effect of an eight-minute cycling intervention using varying intensities on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Generally, current research examines EIH using protocols that last for more than 10 minutes and reach 75% of an individual's VO2 peak. The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of varying intensities on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and heat pain threshold (HPT) at the thigh and forearm, tested pre- and post-cycling intervention. Healthy male participants (n=16) performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to establish their peak power output (PPO). In subsequent visits, participants completed five different 8-minute cycling interventions, with intensities randomly assigned to one of three counterbalanced orders. HPT and PPT were applied to the thigh and forearm two times before and after each cycling intervention. Additionally, there was a notable effect of intensity on PPT in the thigh, with significant changes at intensities of 90% (p = 0.024) and 100% (p = 0.003). In the forearm, repeated measures ANOVA indicated that there was no significant interaction or main effect for intensity and time. Similarly, for HPT, the analysis did not show significant interaction or main effects for both intensity and location. This study was the first to examine EIH using an 8-minute cycling intervention on a cycling ergometer at individualized intensities. Higher intensity cycling sessions generated EIH locally in the thigh using PPT. This intervention appeared to target the nociceptors activated by mechanical, rather than thermal stimuli, further highlighting the multi-faceted nature of EIH. A short but high intensity cycling intervention may have clinical relevance, as it can provide an intervention to reduce localized pain immediately after exercise using a pressure pain stimulus.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of lung volume at the catch position to force and power outputs during single maximal effort strokes in rowing. Responses were compared when the participants were ‘fresh’ and following specific inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF). In addition, a single subject pilot study was performed to characterise the changes in intra-thoracic (ITP), intra-abdominal (IAP) and trans-diaphragmatic (Pdi) pressures during a 30 second maximal effort piece on a rowing ergometer. Methods: Nine male rowers of international standard participated in the research. Static force, as well as the power produced during a single stroke were assessed at residual volume (RV), 25%TLC, 50%TLC, 75%TLC, total lung capacity (TLC), and a self-selected lung volume (S-S). Lung volumes were derived from maximal flow-volume loops (MFVLs) and achieved using online real-time feedback. Inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) was induced by breathing against an inspiratory load equivalent to 80% baseline maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), at a breathing frequency (fB) of 15 breaths per minute, and a duty cycle of 0.6. Expiration was unimpeded. The single subject pilot study was undertaken using balloon catheters to measure ITP, IAP, and Pdi during a 30 second maximal effort free-rating piece on the ergometer. Results: There was no significant effect of lung volume upon either force or power production. The RMF protocol induced a significant reduction in MIP (159.9 ± 70.8 vs. 106.8 ± 58.7 cmH2O; p = 0.000), but not maximal expiratory pressure (MEP; 159.9 ± 79.2 vs. 166.6 ± 53.0 cmH2O; p = 0.376). RMF induced a significant reduction in force output with increasing lung volume, across all lung volumes (mean force 1313.4 ± 31.9 vs. 1209.6 ± 45.0N; p < 0.008), but not power (mean power 598.6 ± 31.9 vs. 592.7 ± 45.0W; p > 0.05). Self-selected lung volumes were consistent across all tests for force and power (mean 38.1 ± 6.9% [Force] vs. 28.2 ± 0.6% [Power]; p > 0.017). The pilot study indicated that internal pressures fluctuate markedly during maximal effort rowing (pressure, [max, min, average] cmH2O; IAP [144.69, 7.46, 73.59], ITP [75, -22.65, 15.34], Pdi [111.84, 7.09, 58.83]), suggesting that the trunk muscles play an active role in power production during rowing. Conclusion: The present study suggests that there is no significant effect of lung volume on force or power when athletes are in a fresh condition. However, a decrement in force production is present with inspiratory muscle fatigue. Combined with evidence of high internal pressures during maximal effort rowing, these data may indicate a role for the inspiratory muscles in force production during rowing.

Objectives To assess physical fitness in pregnancy and to evaluate its effect on perceived health, back pain, blood pressure and duration of gestation. Also, to evaluate the effect of serum relaxin levels on blood pressure and duration of gestation. Material and methods A prospective cohort of 520 pregnant women were examined in early pregnancy and five months postpartum with regard to socio-demographic characteristics and estimated peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak, est.). Serum concentrations of relaxin were carried out in early pregnancy. Physical exercise, possible back pain and blood pressure were measured repeatedly throughout pregnancy. Results Absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy was positively correlated to perceived health, which was lower during than after pregnancy. The average absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy of 2.4 l/minute was 0.02 l/minute less than the V̇O2 peak, est. postpartum, while regular physical exercise decreased throughout pregnancy. Absolute V̇O2 peak, est. in early pregnancy was not associated to the incidence of any low back pain location in pregnancy or postpartum, but inversely to intensity of back pain and diastolic blood pressure and positively with duration of gestation. Elevated serum relaxin levels were associated with decreased diastolic blood pressure and higher duration of gestation among women with miscarriage. Conclusions Perceived health, diastolic blood pressure and duration of gestation were positively affected by physical fitness while no effect was shown on the incidence of back pain. The effect of physical fitness on duration of gestation and diastolic blood pressure might have clinical implications as well as the increased serum relaxin levels on miscarriages.

Title: Determining the relationship of spiroergometric testing on the canoe ergometer and in canoe sprint by elite competitors. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the results of aerobic exercise diagnostics in canoeing and on the canoe ergometer by Czech national team members in canoe sprint. Methods: Within our study we tried to find out and compare the physiological response of two functional load exercise diagnostics in canoeing and on the canoe ergometer. To obtain the functional values of physiological indicators in both tests we used mobile spiroergometric equipment Cortex Metamax 3B and sport tester Polar RS 800. Results: Testing canoeists paddling on flat water reached the following average functional values: maximal heart rate (HR) 181 min-1 (±3,9), maximal values of blood lactate (LA) 8,04 ml.l-1 (±1,6), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) 51,6 ml.kg.min-1 (±6,7), maximal ventilation (VEmax) 140,2 l.min-1 (±26,5), respiratory rate (RR) 51 min-1 (±3,7), metabolic load (Rmax) 1,14 (±0,07) and anaerobic threshold (ANT) 166 (±7,2). When paddling the canoe ergometer, they reached the average maximum values: maximal heart rate (HR) 181 min-1 (±5,2), maximal values of blood lactate (LA) 9,1 mmol.l-1 (±2,9), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) 56,4...

Orientador: Luiz Eduardo Barreto Martins / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Fisica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T15:22:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DeBellisSilva_Gerson_M.pdf: 2066470 bytes, checksum: ddc04339cfa1c1fb8ea3d1fb4616ea56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Nesse projeto multicêntrico em fisiologia do exercício - etapa de calibração de cicloergômetros foi desenvolvido um calibrador de cicloergômetros que pode ser utilizado com modelos diferentes de cicloergômetros. A partir de sua calibração estática constatou-se que o mesmo foi capaz de mensurar potencia em cicloergômetros com precisão de 0,85 W. Foi realizada a calibração dinâmica de três cicloergômetros de mesmo modelo que são utilizados pelos laboratórios de fisiologia do exercício da Faculdade de Educação Física da UNICAMP, do Departamento de Fisioterapia da UFSCar e do Departamento de Clinica Médica da USP de Ribeirão Preto. O experimento de calibração testou a resistência, estabilidade e a robustez dos cicloergômetros, além de fornecer a equação que relaciona a potencia real e a potencia indicada pelos cicloergômetros nas rotações de 45, 60 e 75 rpm. As inclinações calculadas pelas regressões foram 0.992, 0.991 and 0.977 respectivamente. Aplicaram-se testes ergoespirométricos em três voluntários nas potencias corrigidas de 60 e 120 W por 10 minutos em cada um dos laboratórios citados. Os valores de consumo de oxigênio, produção de CO2, ventilação e freqüência cardíaca foram calculados no regime permanente e suas medianas comparadas. Os resultados foram diferentes (p<0.05) para as comparações diretas, porém suas variações entre os dois níveis de esforço foram semelhantes. Os testes possibilitaram a observação de que a magnitude da variabilidade biológica dos dados fisiológicos se sobrepõe a precisão mecânica dos ergômetros utilizados nestes testes. Conclui-se que os cicloergômetros calibrados estão adequados ao propósito de um projeto multicêntrico, porém os procedimentos experimentais que envolvem a variabilidade biológica ainda necessitam de padronização para tornar possível agrupar dados coletados nos diferentes Laboratórios / Abstract: In the Multicenter Exercise Physiology Project: cycle ergometer calibration phase a multiple kind cycle ergometer calibrator was developed. The exercise physiology laboratories comprising the multicenter project were from Faculty of Physical Education- UNICAMP, Department of Physical Therapy UFSCar and Department of internal medicine- USPRP. Its static calibration gave an accuracy of 0.85 W for cycle ergometer workload readout. An experimental setup for testing stability, resistance and robustness of cycles was carried out in three identical model cycle ergometers. The dynamical calibration was executed to provide the linear regression equation between actual and indicated workloads for 45, 60 and 77 rpm. The computed regressions slopes were 0.992, 0.991 and 0.977 respectively. Ergospirometric tests with 60 and 120 W of workload were applied to three volunteers for 10 min in each laboratory. Oxygen uptake, CO2 production, ventilation and heart rate were computed for steady state and their medians tested for statistical significance (P<0.05). The results were different for direct testing of variables, although their between exercise levels variations were equal. Though, the biological variability overlaps the mechanical accuracy of ergometers. In conclusion, the calibration procedure of ergometers allows the constitution of a multicenter project but biological variability associated with the ergospirometric tests needs standardization to permit the grouping of data from different Laboratories / Mestrado / Biodinamica do Movimento Humano / Mestre em Educação Física

Les méthodes modernes d'entraînement utilisent des appareillages spécifiques appelés ergomètres sur lesquels, en particulier, des programmes d'entraînement et d'évaluation sont proposés par les entraîneurs. De tels dispositifs favorisent la continuité d'un entraînement pendant les périodes peu favorables à une pratique sportive. De même, lorsque ces outils sont instrumentés, ils apportent à l'entraîneur des informations difficilement accessibles en situation réelle de pratique. Ce travail s'inscrit dans cette problématique scientifique dont l'objet est la conception d'un ergomètre pour la pratique du kayak en ligne. Les travaux réalisés ont conduit à la conception d'un ergomètre kayak capable de reproduire les conditions d'une pratique écologique aussi précisément que possible tant d'un point de vue de la gestuelle (cinématique) que des efforts générés (dynamique) d'une part, de proposer et de valider une instrumentation afin de recueillir l'ensemble des efforts d'interaction kayakiste/ergomètre, d'autre part. De plus, cette instrumentation doit être suffisamment exigeante en termes de poids et d'encombrement pour être installée dans un kayak K1 pour réaliser des mesures in situ. Les moyens mis en œuvre donnent accès aux variables biomécaniques permettant de quantifier les éléments de base de la technique de pagayage qui constituent l'ensemble des facteurs déterminants de la performance (force, endurance, technique, etc.). Scientifiques et entraineurs ont ainsi à leur disposition un outil pour une évaluation objective des performances du kayakiste. Ce travail a été réalisé dans le cadre d'une collaboration entre l'axe RoBioss, le CAIPS et la société SENSIX. / The modern training methods developed during the last 20 years involve specific equipments named ergometer. These devices allow semi-specific training sessions on a sheltered environment to develop strength during unfavorable periods of in situ practice. They are also more and more used by coaches to evaluate athlete’s skills and aptitudes. Ergometers provide numerical information that cannot be easily measured during in situ sessions. This work is a significant contribution of the following scientific problems; firstly the design of a flat-water kayak ergometer that reproduces accurately on-water conditions, both kinematics and forces generated (dynamic) during the throughout the whole kayaking cycle, secondly, to propose and validate an instrumentation to collect every dynamic interactions between the ergometer and kayaker (hands, seat, feet). In addition, this instrumentation must be design in terms of weight, size and watertightness to be installed in a kayak K1 for in situ measurements. This instrumentation quantifies the basic biomechanics parameters of the kayaking performance such as external forces, endurance, technique, etc. As a result, researchers and coaches will be able to evaluate kayakers’ performance using an unbiased device. This work was conducted as part of a scientific collaboration between the RoBioSS research team, CAIPS and SENSIX compagny.

The effects of moderate workload exercise at different pedal rates on circulatory and respiratory parameters were studied. Five subjects performed seven discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometer tests of 30 minutes duration at pedal rates of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 rpm. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production were determined by standard open circuit spirometry, while heart rate was recorded by electrocardiograph. The CO₂ rebreathing procedure was administered during the exercise bout in order to determine cardiac output. Blood pressure was determined for each test, and total peripheral resistance was calculated. The findings indicate that progressive increases in pedal frequency during discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometry produce progressive increases in cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic responses and a decrease in gross exercise mechanical efficiency. The results indicate that oxygen uptake, cardiac output, heart rate, ventilation and arterial-venous oxygen difference increases curvilinearly as pedal rate increases, possibly as a result of increases in recruitment of muscle fibers and/or muscle groups. These findings suggest that circulatory and respiratory responses are due to "central command" which sets the basic efferent response pattern. However, this effector pattern is modulated by afferent input originating from the legs during progressive increases in pedal rate.

L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était d’étudier, selon une approche intégrative, les facteurs intrinsèques et extrinsèques influençant les performances mécaniques et neuromusculaires lors d’exercices de sprint de courte durée sur ergocycle. La première étude a examiné l’effet du genre et le type d’exercice sur la reproductibilité des indices de la relation force-vitesse sur ergocycle. Les résultats ont révélé que la reproductibilité de la relation force-vitesse était plus élevée chez les hommes et au niveau des membres inférieurs comparativement respectivement aux femmes et aux membres supérieurs. La deuxième étude a investigué l’effet de deux charges (8,7 et 11% de la masse corporelle, BM) sur la reproductibilité des indices de puissance mécanique au court d’un test de Wingate. Les résultats ont révélé une reproductibilité comparable entre les deux charges. Cependant, la puissance était plus élevée à 11% BM. La troisième étude a comparé les indices de puissance de la relation force-vitesse et du test de Wingate selon l’aptitude anaérobie des sujets. Les résultats ont montré que la puissance maximale était sous-estimée lors des tests de Wingate réalisés contre des charges non optimales (8,7% BM) notamment chez les sujets sportifs. La quatrième étude a exploré l’effet du contexte émotionnel sur la performance neuromusculaire lors d’exercices de sprints répétés. Les résultats ont révélé un effet positif du contexte plaisant comparativement au contexte déplaisant sur la performance neuromusculaire. Ces résultats suggèrent que la motivation extrinsèque affecte, via la valence émotionnelle (plaisir-déplaisir), la performance lors des exercices maximaux de courte durée. / The aim of the present work was to study, using an integrative approach, the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence the mechanical and neuromuscular performances during sprint exercises on a cycle ergometer. The first study examined the effect of exercise and gender on the reliability of the mechanical measurements from the force-velocity tests. The results showed that the reliability of the force-velocity test was higher in men and lower limbs compared to women and upper limbs, respectively. The second study investigated the effect of two loads (8.7 and 11% of body mass, BM) on the reproducibility of mechanical power indices during a Wingate test. The results showed comparable reliability between the two loads. However, power output was significantly higher at 11% BM. The third study compared power indices computed from the force-velocity and Wingate tests among two groups of male subjects with different physical fitness. The results showed that the Wingate tests performed against non-optimal loads (8.7% BM) underestimated maximal power especially in powerful subjects. The fourth study investigated the effect of the emotional context on neuromuscular performance during repeated cycling sprints. The results revealed a positive effect of pleasant context on neuromuscular performance compared to the unpleasant context. These results suggest that extrinsic motivation affects via the emotional valence (pleasant-unpleasant) the performance during all-out exercises.

Physical fatigue impairs performance during high power, short duration activities. As technological developments permit new methods of measuring this effect, it is important to validate existing paradigms. The purpose was to determine if kinetic measurements from vertical jump (VJ) tests are influenced by fatigue based on explosive power outputs. A sample of athletes (9 men, 26 women) from a Division I NCAA sports program completed testing. To establish baseline VJ kinetics, athletes performed a controlled warm-up and then completed six jumps using Sparta Science technology, each separated by 15s rest. Sparta software computed three force outputs: Load, Explode and Drive. After baseline VJ calculation, performed an anaerobic fatigue protocol on a cycle ergometer: three 15s sprints separated by 10s rest. Max and average power were recorded from the cycle trials. Subjects then repeated the VJ protocol. This pattern was repeated until six sets of VJ were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA tested differences between successive VJ performances. Male athletes were 20.8 ± 1.5years old, weighed 175.8 ± 14.0lbs, had a baseline VJ of 46.9 ± 3.6cm, Load of 53.6 ± 13.3, Explode of 49.4 ± 6.6, and Drive of 49.4 ± 11.9. Female athletes were 20.2 ± 1.2years old, weighed 142.3 ± 13.2lbs, had a baseline VJ of 32.7 ± 4.3cm, Load of 49.8 ± 46.1, Explode of 40.7 ± 8.0, and Drive of 63.1 ± 49.7. Differences between sex were weight (p <0.001), VJ (p <0.001), and Explode (p=0.006). ANOVA found VJ height to decrease between baseline and trial 2 (p <0.001), no difference between sex (p=0.210); and between trials 2 and 6 VJ height was consistent (p>0.400). Load was not affected by the fatigue protocol across the total sample (p=0.418) or by sex (p=0.239). Explode was not affected by fatigue across the sample (p=0.233) or by sex (p=0.406). Drive was affected by fatigue (p=0.040), decreasing in successive trials; no interaction with sex (p=0.742). VJ is more sensitive to fatigue than Sparta’s force plate calculations. An initial fatiguing insult was sufficient to compromise performance, whereas accumulated fatigue didn’t have an additive effect. Drive was the only force variable that was affected by fatigue.

The product of this thesis aims to enable the study of the biochemical and physical dynamics of the lower limbs at high levels of muscle tension and fast contraction speeds. This is accomplished in part by a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible ergometer designed to apply a load as a torque of up to 420 Nm acting against knee extension at speeds as high as 4.7 rad/s. The system can also be adapted to apply the load as a force of up to 1200 N acting against full leg extension. The ergometer is designed to enable the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging in a three Tesla Siemens Skyra MRI system. Due to the electromagnetic limitations of having the device operate inside the magnet, the design is split into two components. One designed to fit inside the 70 cm bore of the scanner. This component is electromagnetically passive; made out of materials exhibiting minimal magnetic interference, and having no electrically powered parts. The other component is electromagnetically active; it contains all of the powered elements and actuates the passive part from another room. A tensioned cable transmits power through a waveguide; a pipe through the wall of the MRI room with an RF shield. The device was tested applying a sagittal plane moment on the knee joint during isometric, isokinetic, isotonic, and constant power contractions.