The influence of priming exercise on oxygen uptake, cardiac output, and muscle oxygenation kinetics during very heavy-intensity exercise in 9- to 13-yr-old boys

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of priming exercise on O2 uptake (V̇o2) kinetics during subsequent very heavy exercise in eight 9- to 13-yr-old boys. We hypothesised that priming exercise would 1) elevate muscle O2 delivery prior to the subsequent bout of very heavy exercise, 2) have no effect on the phase II V̇o2 τ, 3) elevate the phase II V̇o2 total amplitude, and 4) reduce the magnitude of the V̇o2 slow component. Each participant completed repeat 6-min bouts of very heavy-intensity cycling exercise separated by 6 min of light pedaling. During the tests V̇o2, muscle oxygenation (near infrared spectroscopy), and cardiac output (Q̇) (thoracic impedance) were determined. Priming exercise increased baseline muscle oxygenation and elevated Q̇ at baseline and throughout the second exercise bout. The phase II V̇o2 τ was not altered by priming exercise ( bout 1: 22 ± 7 s vs. bout 2: 20 ± 4 s; P = 0.30). However, the time constant describing the entire V̇o2 response from start to end of exercise was accelerated ( bout 1: 43 ± 8 s vs. bout 2: 36 ± 5 s; P = 0.002) due to an increased total phase II V̇o2 amplitude ( bout 1: 1.73 ± 0.33 l/min vs. bout 2: 1.80 ± 0.59 l/min; P = 0.002) and a reduced V̇o2 slow component amplitude ( bout 1: 0.18 ± 0.08 l/min vs. bout 2: 0.12 ± 0.09 l/min; P = 0.048). These results suggest that phase II V̇o2 kinetics in young boys is principally limited by intrinsic muscle metabolic factors, whereas the V̇o2 total phase II and slow component amplitudes may be O2 delivery sensitive.