ABSTRACT Male subjects are invariably used to study the physiological determinants of middle distance running performance. Studies that do include females have examined only the aerobic contribution to middle distance running performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate aerobic, anaerobic and muscle function factors that could be used to predict middle distance running performance in female runners. This study was performed at an altitude of 1800m. Eleven middle distance female runners aged 18-20 were selected for the study. Aerobic capacity was assessed by measuring the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), running velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max), running economy (RE) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). The blood lactate curve of each subject was constructed by relating the oxygen consumption, to the plasma lactate concentrations. Anaerobic capacity was determined by measuring the maximum accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) on a treadmill. Muscle function was assessed by having the subjects cycle as fast as possible against changing brake weights ranging from heavy to light using a Monark cycle ergometer. The brake force (kg) was related to velocity (rpm).

Estratégia de corrida é forma pela qual os corredores distribuem a velocidade durante uma competição. Objetivando otimizar a utilização dos recursos energéticos, bem como melhorar o desempenho geral na prova, durante uma corrida de 5 km os atletas comumente adotam uma estratégia caracterizada por um início em alta velocidade, seguido por um trecho intermediário em velocidade inferior, e finalmente os atletas aumentam a velocidade quando se aproximam dos 400 m finais da prova. Sabe-se que o treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade (TIAI) realizado ao longo de 3 a 6 semanas é capaz de promover melhoras significativas nas variáveis fisiológicas determinantes do desempenho aeróbio, tais como VO2max, EC, VP, e OBLA. Uma vez que os atletas monitoram a PSE baseado em sinais internos (fisiológicos) e externos (ambiente), e desta forma alteram a velocidade para evitarem o término prematuro do exercício, acredita-se que melhoras em tais variáveis fisiológicas possam permitir que os corredores modifiquem a estratégia de corrida. Portanto, o principal objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a influência de quatro semanas de TIAI sobre a PSE e também sobre a estratégia de corrida adotada por corredores durante um teste contra-relógio de 5 km (T5). Vinte sujeitos, homens, corredores recreacionais de longa distância foram distribuídos de forma contrabalançada em grupo controle (CON, n = 10; 33,5 ± 6,2 anos) e grupo treinamento intervalado (TINT, n = 10; 32,9 ± 8,6 anos). TINT realizou uma sessão de TIAI duas vezes por semana, enquanto que CON manteve seu programa regular de treinamento. Antes e após o período de intervenção, os corredores realizaram: 1) um teste incremental até exaustão para se obter o início do acúmulo de lactato sanguíneo (OBLA), o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), e a velocidade pico em esteira (VP); 2) um teste submáximo de carga constante para se medir a economia de corrida (EC); 3) e um teste contra-relógio de 5 km (T5) em pista para se estabelecer a estratégia de corrida. O programa de TIAI produziu uma melhora relevante no VO2max (effect size = 0,219), OBLA (effect size = 0,489), EC (effect size = -0,593), e VP (effect size = 0,622). Não foram detectadas alterações significativas na estratégia de corrida, TT5, VT5 e PSET5 durante o T5, comparando ambas as condições (pré e pós-treinamento) ou entre os grupos (TINT e CON; P > 0,05). Esses achados sugerem que melhoras nas variáveis fisiológicas induzidas por um programa de quatro semanas de TIAI não são acompanhadas por alterações similares na PSE e na estratégia de corrida durante um teste contra-relógio de 5 km / Pacing strategy has been defined as the manner by which the runners distribute their speed during a competition. In order to optimize the use of the energetic resources, as well as improve the general race performance, during a 5-km running race, athletes usually adopt a pacing strategy characterized by a fast start (400 m), followed by a period of slower speed during the middle (400 4600 m), and a significant increase in running speed during the last part of the race (400 m). It is well recognized that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) performed along 3 to 6 weeks is able to promote significant improvements in physiological variables determinants of endurance performance, such as VO2max, RE, PTS, and OBLA. Since athletes monitor their RPE based on the internal (physiological) and external (environment) signals, and change their running speed in order to prevent a premature exercise termination, its believed that improvements in such physiological variables could enable athletes to modify the pacing strategy. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the pacing strategy adopted by runners during a 5-km running time-trial (T5). Twenty male, recreational long-distance runners were randomly assigned into control group (CG, n = 10) or high-intensity interval-training group (HIITG, n = 10). The HIITG performed a high-intensity interval-training session twice per week, while CG maintained its regular training program. Before and after the training period, the runners performed the following tests: 1) an incremental exercise test to exhaustion to measure the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and peak treadmill speed (PTS); 2) a submaximal speed-constant test to measure the running economy (RE); 3) a 5-km running time-trial on an outdoor track to establish pacing strategy. HIIT program produced a relevant improvement on the VO2max (effect size = 0.219), OBLA (effect size = 0.489), RE (effect size = -0.593), and PTS (effect size = 0.622). There were no significant differences on pacing strategy, TT5, ST5 and RPE response during the 5-km running time-trial between both conditions (pre- and post-training) or between groups (HIITG and CG; P > 0.05). These findings suggest that improvements on the physiological variables induced by a 4-week HIIT program are not accompanied by similar modifications on the RPE and running pacing strategy during a 5-km running time-trial

Estratégia de corrida é forma pela qual os corredores distribuem a velocidade durante uma competição. Objetivando otimizar a utilização dos recursos energéticos, bem como melhorar o desempenho geral na prova, durante uma corrida de 5 km os atletas comumente adotam uma estratégia caracterizada por um início em alta velocidade, seguido por um trecho intermediário em velocidade inferior, e finalmente os atletas aumentam a velocidade quando se aproximam dos 400 m finais da prova. Sabe-se que o treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade (TIAI) realizado ao longo de 3 a 6 semanas é capaz de promover melhoras significativas nas variáveis fisiológicas determinantes do desempenho aeróbio, tais como VO2max, EC, VP, e OBLA. Uma vez que os atletas monitoram a PSE baseado em sinais internos (fisiológicos) e externos (ambiente), e desta forma alteram a velocidade para evitarem o término prematuro do exercício, acredita-se que melhoras em tais variáveis fisiológicas possam permitir que os corredores modifiquem a estratégia de corrida. Portanto, o principal objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a influência de quatro semanas de TIAI sobre a PSE e também sobre a estratégia de corrida adotada por corredores durante um teste contra-relógio de 5 km (T5). Vinte sujeitos, homens, corredores recreacionais de longa distância foram distribuídos de forma contrabalançada em grupo controle (CON, n = 10; 33,5 ± 6,2 anos) e grupo treinamento intervalado (TINT, n = 10; 32,9 ± 8,6 anos). TINT realizou uma sessão de TIAI duas vezes por semana, enquanto que CON manteve seu programa regular de treinamento. Antes e após o período de intervenção, os corredores realizaram: 1) um teste incremental até exaustão para se obter o início do acúmulo de lactato sanguíneo (OBLA), o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max), e a velocidade pico em esteira (VP); 2) um teste submáximo de carga constante para se medir a economia de corrida (EC); 3) e um teste contra-relógio de 5 km (T5) em pista para se estabelecer a estratégia de corrida. O programa de TIAI produziu uma melhora relevante no VO2max (effect size = 0,219), OBLA (effect size = 0,489), EC (effect size = -0,593), e VP (effect size = 0,622). Não foram detectadas alterações significativas na estratégia de corrida, TT5, VT5 e PSET5 durante o T5, comparando ambas as condições (pré e pós-treinamento) ou entre os grupos (TINT e CON; P > 0,05). Esses achados sugerem que melhoras nas variáveis fisiológicas induzidas por um programa de quatro semanas de TIAI não são acompanhadas por alterações similares na PSE e na estratégia de corrida durante um teste contra-relógio de 5 km / Pacing strategy has been defined as the manner by which the runners distribute their speed during a competition. In order to optimize the use of the energetic resources, as well as improve the general race performance, during a 5-km running race, athletes usually adopt a pacing strategy characterized by a fast start (400 m), followed by a period of slower speed during the middle (400 4600 m), and a significant increase in running speed during the last part of the race (400 m). It is well recognized that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) performed along 3 to 6 weeks is able to promote significant improvements in physiological variables determinants of endurance performance, such as VO2max, RE, PTS, and OBLA. Since athletes monitor their RPE based on the internal (physiological) and external (environment) signals, and change their running speed in order to prevent a premature exercise termination, its believed that improvements in such physiological variables could enable athletes to modify the pacing strategy. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the pacing strategy adopted by runners during a 5-km running time-trial (T5). Twenty male, recreational long-distance runners were randomly assigned into control group (CG, n = 10) or high-intensity interval-training group (HIITG, n = 10). The HIITG performed a high-intensity interval-training session twice per week, while CG maintained its regular training program. Before and after the training period, the runners performed the following tests: 1) an incremental exercise test to exhaustion to measure the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and peak treadmill speed (PTS); 2) a submaximal speed-constant test to measure the running economy (RE); 3) a 5-km running time-trial on an outdoor track to establish pacing strategy. HIIT program produced a relevant improvement on the VO2max (effect size = 0.219), OBLA (effect size = 0.489), RE (effect size = -0.593), and PTS (effect size = 0.622). There were no significant differences on pacing strategy, TT5, ST5 and RPE response during the 5-km running time-trial between both conditions (pre- and post-training) or between groups (HIITG and CG; P > 0.05). These findings suggest that improvements on the physiological variables induced by a 4-week HIIT program are not accompanied by similar modifications on the RPE and running pacing strategy during a 5-km running time-trial

Aim The aim for this present study was to investigate the acute metabolic response from intermittent resistance exercise during hypoxia, with the following research questions: (1) Are blood levels of lactate and glucose different between hypoxia and normoxia? (2) Does hypoxia induce higher lactate accumulation and pH reduction in the human skeletal muscle? (3) Is there a relationship between plasma-, blood- and muscle lactate? Method Eight healthy males (30 ± 2 years) performed 6 sets of unilateral leg extension on each leg (75% of 1RM) with randomized normoxic (20,9% inspired 𝑂2) and normobaric hypoxic (12% inspired 𝑂2) conditions. A total of 5 muscle biopsies was extracted from m. Vastus Lateralis (pre-, post exercise, 90-, 180min and 24h post exercise) during both normoxia and hypoxia trials, separated by one week for all participants. Blood samples were repeatedly taken with 20 min intervals. Heart Rate (HR) and saturation (𝑆𝑝𝑂2) were measured by a pulsoximeter during resistance exercise. Results No significant main effect was observed for blood lactate and glucose levels as well as the muscle lactate accumulation and pH between normoxia and hypoxia. However, pH in muscle showed a trend between the conditions post exercise where hypoxia reached lower levels in total (P=0.08). Significant correlations were observed for blood- and plasma lactate, where hypoxia showed a stronger relationship than normoxia (r=0.98 compared to r=0.87). Equal findings for the correlation of muscle- and plasma lactate showed an even greater coefficient value for hypoxia compared to normoxia (r=0.860 compared to r=0.59). Conclusion Summarized data indicated that no significant difference between hypoxia and normoxia was evident. Nonetheless, tendencies illustrate that hypoxia may alter the metabolic response slightly. However, further research is needed to draw a conclusion between the conditions. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka kroppens akuta metabola svar från intermittent styrketräning under hypoxi, med följande frågeställningar: (1) Skiljer sig nivåerna av laktat och glukos i blodet mellan hypoxi och normoxi? (2) Skapar hypoxi större laktatansamling och pH reduktion i människoskelettmuskeln? (3) Finns det en relation mellan plasma-, blod- och muskellaktat? Metod Åtta friska män (30 ± 2 år) deltog där deltagarna utförde 6 set unilateral benextension för varje ben (75% 1RM). Intermittent styrketräning randomiserades med hypoxi som utfördes med 12% syrgas och normoxi som bibehöll normal syrgasnivå (20,9% syrgas). Under två testdagar togs 5 muskelbiopsier från m. Vastus Lateralis (före-, efter träning, 90-, 180min och 24h efter träning) på vartannat ben per testdag. Hjärtfrekvensen och 𝑆𝑝𝑂2 mättes via pulsoximeter under träningen. Resultat Ingen signifikant huvudeffekt påvisades mellan hypoxi och normoxi för blodlaktat samt glukos, såväl som laktatackumulationen och pH värdet i muskeln. Muskel pH visade en trend där hypoxi efter styrketräning nådde lägre totalnivå än normoxi (P=0,08). Vidare observerades hypoxi att ha starka relationer mellan blod- och plasmalaktat jämfört med normoxi (r=0,98 vs. r=0,87). Större skillnad framgick för korrelationen mellan muskel- och plasmalaktat där hypoxi-försöket utgav starkare koefficient jämfört med normoxi (r=0,86 vs. r=0,59). Konklusion Sammanfattad data visar att hypoxi inte skapar större metabolisk respons vid intermittent styrketräning. Trots detta framkom tendenser som illustrerar att hypoxi kan påverka den metabola stressen under styrketräning. Däremot krävs vidare forskning för att kunna säkerställa effekten av hypoxi på kroppens metabola svar. / Ingår i Marcus Mobergs projekt: ”Resistance exercise under hypoxia and the acute molecular effects in human skeletal muscle