The increased work of breathing associated with intense cycling has been identified as a factor that may negatively affect cycling performance. The aerodynamic position, abnormal respiratory mechanics either at rest or during exercise, and the development of a tachypnoeic breathing pattern are factors known to increase the work of breathing. Breathing pattern retraining aims to decrease the work of breathing by delaying the onset of dynamic hyperinflation and the recruitment of accessory breathing muscles. To date no studies have investigated the performance, physiological and perceptual consequences of manipulating breathing pattern in trained cyclists. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of breathing pattern retraining on 20-km time trial performance and respiratory and metabolic measures in competitive cyclists. Method: Twenty-four competitive male cyclists (age 37.7 ± 8.6 years, mean ± SD; peak 4.34 ± 0.47 L·min-1) were match paired on 20-km time trial performance and assigned at random to either an intervention group (breathing pattern retraining; N = 12) or control group (N = 12). 20-km time trial performance, pulmonary function and the physiological and perceptual response during a maximal incremental cycle step test were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The intervention group underwent four weeks of specific breathing pattern retraining using exercises designed to reduce dynamic hyperinflation and optimise respiratory mechanics. The control group attended the laboratory once a week during this period and performed a 10 minute sub-maximal ride wearing a biofeedback breathing harness. The control group was led to believe the purpose for their participation was to investigate the effect that maximal exercise had on breathing pattern, and to test the reliability of the breathing harness. There was no attempt to modify the breathing pattern of the control group. Data were analysed using an MS Excel spreadsheet designed for statistical analysis. The uncertainty in the effect was expressed as 90% confidence limits and a smallest worthwhile effect of 1.0% was assumed. Results: The intervention group showed substantial improvements in 20-km time trial performance (-1.5 ± 1.1%) and incremental power (3.2 ± 3%). Additionally, breathing frequency (-13.2 ± 8.9%; -9.5 ± 8.4%), tidal volume (10.6 ± 8.5%; 9.4 ± 7.6%), inspiratory time (10.1 ± 8%; 9.4 ± 7.7%), breathing RPE (-30 ± 33.9%; -24.7 ± 28.1%) and leg RPE (-27.9 ± 38.5%; -24.7 ± 28.2%) were all positively affected at lactate threshold and lactate turn point. No positive changes were observed in the control group for 20-km time trial performance (0.0 ± 1.0%), incremental power (-1.4 ± 3.5%), breathing frequency (-1.6 ± 8.0%; -2.0 ± 7.9%), tidal volume (0.9 ± 7.2%; 2.9 ± 9.4%), breathing RPE (16.1 ± 50.2%, 24.8 ± 43%) or leg RPE (13.4 ± 39.6%; 19.9 ± 43.2%) . Conclusion: These results provide evidence of the performance enhancing effect of four weeks of breathing pattern retraining in cyclists. Furthermore, they suggest breathing pattern can be retrained to exhibit a controlled pattern, without a tachypnoeic shift, during high intensity cycling. Additionally, these results indicate breathing pattern retraining attenuates the respiratory and peripheral perceived effort during incremental exercise. Key words: Breathing pattern disorders, retraining, blood stealing, cycling, performance, power output, respiratory mechanics, perceived exertion, 20km-TT

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Nursing))--Mahidol University, 1979.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 94-96.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit te Groningen.

Thesis--University of Jyväskylä. / Text in English; abstract and summary also in Finnish. Thesis t.p. inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-84).

Thesis--University of Jyväskylä. / Text in English; abstract and summary also in Finnish. Thesis t.p. inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-84).

O presente estudo teve por objetivo obter evidências da validade de identificação dos limiares de lactato e de percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) em teste de campo, comparando com o desempenho, em ciclistas de estrada. Esta é uma modalidade em que a aptidão aeróbia é uma importante determinante de desempenho; porém, haja vista que o VO2máx parece sofrer poucas alterações com o treinamento, são interessantes outras variáveis que permitam um efetivo e acessível planejamento e controle do treinamento. Testes de campo respeitam a especificidade do treinamento, avaliando atletas em situações próximas da realidade do esporte. Neste sentido, as concentrações de lactato sangüíneo ([La]) e a PSE parecem ferramentas eficazes através de seus limiares e correspondentes valores de FC e velocidade. Foram realizados dois testes: avaliação do desempenho (Teste de 40 km) e um teste de campo com intensidades crescentes controladas por valores fixos de FC (135±5, 145±5, 155±5, 165±5 bpm e esforço máximo), em circuito de 5 km, com registro das velocidades, [La], FC e PSE e posterior identificação dos limiares através do método Dmáx. Os LL também foram identificados a partir de concentrações fixas de 2, 3 e 4 mmol.L-1. A normalidade da amostra foi determinada por Kolmogorov-Smirnov; a comparação entre os métodos de identificação dos limiares em campo através de ANOVA de Um Fator e a comparação das relações entre os limiares obtidos nos testes CR-40 km e 5x5 km pela Correlação de Pearson, além do Teste de Friedman para comparação entre as médias dos limiares. Os resultados demonstraram a possibilidade de utilização do LL4 como preditor de desempenho, além de indicarem associações significativas entre a FC e a PSE e entre La e FC / The present study had the objective to obtain validity evidences of identificating lactate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) metabolic thresholds in field tests, comparing them to performance, in road cyclists. Road cycling is a sport in which aerobic condition is an important performance determinant; however, considering that VO2max seems not to change with the training season, it is necessary that other condition markers can be used, leading, this way, to an effective and acessible training plan and control. Field tests respect the training principle of specificity, evaluating athletes in situations as closest as possible from the sports reality. Concerning to this, blood lactate concentrations ([La]) and RPE have shown to be efficient tools for that, throughout the identification of their thresholds and corresponding heart rate and velocity values. Cyclists developed a performance test (40 km TT) and a field test in which intensity was controled by HR fixed values (135±5, 145±5, 155±5, 165±5 bpm and maximal effort), in a 5 km extension circuit, with velocities, [La], HR, and RPE records, and posterior thresholds identification by the Dmax method. LT were also identified from fixed [La] of 2, 3, and 4 mmol.L-1. The sample degree of normality was determined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; the comparision between the field thresholds identification methods were calculated by One-Factor ANOVA, and the comparision of the relationship between the thresholds obtained in the CR40 and in the field tests by Pearsons correlation, besides the use of Friedman test for comparing the thresholds mean values. Results presented the possibility of utilizing LL4 in order to predict performance in field tests, and also showed a significative association between HR and RPE and La and HR

O método Pilates, o qual vem se difundindo muito nas últimas décadas, é um método de condicionamento físico que apresenta uma série de exercícios sistematizados os quais podem ser realizados com aparelhos, dotados de molas, submetendo os músculos a cargas externas. Um desses exercícios é o leg work que pode ser caracterizado como uma extensão de quadril e joelhos. Dessa maneira, o conhecimento das forças envolvidas no exercício, bem como seu comportamento, ao longo da amplitude de execução permite uma melhor definição do exercício, contribuindo para uma escolha mais criteriosa e uma melhor prescrição do exercício. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo identificar a diferença no exercício leg work executado nos aparelhos Chair e Reformer levando em consideração a carga do equipamento (força das molas), a amplitude de movimento (ADM), o ritmo de execução, a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) de músculos específicos se a sensação subjetiva de esforço das executantes. A amostra foi composta por 18 mulheres fisicamente ativas sem histórico de lesão e praticantes de Pilates há pelo menos 6 meses. Foi empregado diagrama de corpo livre e equações de Newton-Euler para calcular a variação da força externa nos aparelhos Chair e Reformer no movimento leg work. Foi utilizada cinemetria bidimensional (2D) e dois eletromiógrafos para aquisição dos dados. Os músculos analisados foram glúteo máximo (GM), bíceps femoral (BF), vasto lateral (VL), reto femoral (RF), gastrocnêmio medial (GAS), oblíquo externo (OE) e multífido (MU). Os resultados indicam que há diferenças significativas na ativação EMG do OE, VL e RF, no índice de co-contração de BF-RF, BF-VL e OE-MU bem como no índice de esforço percebido entre aparelhos Chair e Reformer durante o movimento leg work. Isso provavelmente se deve a diferenças na ADM e nas estratégias de recrutamento, uma vez que a carga do equipamento final imposta era a mesma em ambos os aparelhos. Essas informações devem ser levadas em consideração em um programa de condicionamento e reabilitação de Pilates. Pode-se concluir que há diferenças no exercício leg work executado nos aparelhos Chair e Reformer na atividade EMG de músculos específicos, ADM e sensação subjetiva de esforço das executantes. / The Pilates method, which has been popularized over the last decades, is a physical conditioning method that presents a series of systematized exercises that may be performed by apparatus with springs, loading the muscles to external loads. One of these exercises is the leg work, that may be characterized as hip and knee extension. The knowledge of forces involved in an exercise, as well as their behavior throughout the range of execution allows a better exercise definition, contributing to a more careful choice and a better prescription of the exercise. So, the main goal of this study is to identify the difference between legwork exercise performed on Chair and Reformer apparatus, taking into account external load (spring force), range of motion (ROM), rhythm of execution, specific muscles electromyography (EMG) and subject‟s perceived exertion effort sensation. Eighteen women took part of the study, all physically active, without injury history and practitioners of Pilates for at least six months. Free body diagram and Newton-Euler equations were used in order to calculate external force variation on Chair and Reformer apparatus during the legwork movement. Two-dimensional (2D) kinematics and two electromyography were used for data acquisition. The muscles analyzed were Gluteus Maximum (GM), Biceps Femoris (BF), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Rectus Femoralis (RF), Gastrocnemius (GAS), External Obliquies (EB) and Multifidus (MU). Results indicate that there are significant differences in EMG activation of EB, VL and RF, in co-contraction index BF-RF, BF-VL and EB-MU, as well as in perceived exertion sensation between Chair and Reformer apparatus during the legwork movement. This is probably due to differences in the ROM and recruiting strategies, once the imposed final external load was the same for both apparatus. This information should be considered in conditioning and rehabilitation program in Pilates. It‟s possible to conclude that there are differences between legwork exercise performed on Chair and Reformer apparatus in relation to EMG activity of specific muscles, ROM and related Borg perceived exertion scale.