Physiological responses during prolonged exercise at the power output corresponding to the blood lactate threshold

Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO2) at the mechanical power (W) corresponding to the capillary blood lactate ([la]cap) of 4 mmol.l-1 (Wlt) were measured in 34 healthy male subjects during incremental exercise (Winc). On the basis of these measurements, the subjects were asked to cycle at Wlt for 60 min (steady-state exercise, Wss). Twenty subjects could not reach the target time (mean exhaustion time, te, 38.2 min, SD 5.3), while 6 of the 14 remaining subjects declared themselves exhausted at the end of exercise. The final [la]cap if the two groups of exhausted subjects were 5.3 mmol.l-1, SD 2.3 and 4.3 mmol.l-1, SD 1.1, respectively. At the end of Wss, [la]cap and HR were significantly lower in the 8 unexhausted subjects than in the other subjects. This group also had a lower HR at Wlt during Winc. The HR and VO2 appeared to be higher during Wss than during Winc. When all subjects were ranked according to their te during Wss, Wlt (expressed per kilogram of body mass) was found to be negatively related to te. In conclusion, during Winc, measurements of physiological variables at fixed [la]cap give a poor prediction of their trends during Wss and of the relative te; at the same work load [la]cap can be quite different in the two experimental conditions. Furthermore, resistance to exercise fatigue at Wlt seems lower in the fitter subjects.     

Effects of exercise training at an intensity relative to lactate threshold in mildly obese women.

To determine the effects of exercise training on the anthropometric and physiologic characteristics, twenty-eight mildly obese women were studied prior to and following a 14-week exercise training program. The present data demonstrated that regular aerobic training at an intensity corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) led to significant improvements in VO2max (12%) and VO2LT (16%) and significant reductions in systolic (5%) and diastolic blood pressure (9%). Weight (5%) and percent body fat (11%) decreased significantly, while LBM remained essentially unchanged. Although the change in HDLC and HDLC/TC did not reach statistical significance, the TC (8%) and LDLC (7%) decreased significantly. These alterations in cardiorespiratory, anthropometric, and metabolic characteristics clearly demonstrate that training intensity relative to LT may be appropriate for obese individuals to improve the aerobic capacity, lipid-lipoprotein metabolism, and anthropometric profile.     

Cardiorespiratory and lactate responses to a 1-hour submaximal running at the lactate threshold

Cardiorespiratory and blood lactate (La) responses to prolonged submaximal running at an intensity relative to lactate threshold (LT) were examined in 15 recreational runners, aged 19 to 32. In test 1 where treadmill speed was progressively incremented by 10-20m/min until exhaustion, oxygen uptake at the LT (VO2 @ LT: 2.34 +/- 0.331/min or 41.6 +/- 5.7 ml/kg/min) and VO2max (3.58 +/- 0.341/min or 63.6 +/- 5.5 ml/kg/min) were measured. In test 2, the subject was required to run on the treadmill for 1 hour at a fixed velocity (Vt) which corresponded to his Vt @ LT. As expected, mean VO2 ranged during the 1-h submaximal running from 2.31 +/- 0.411/min or 63.0 +/- 7.8% VO2max at min 10-20 to 2.52 +/- 0.351/min or 69.2 +/- 6.2% VO2max at min 50-60, both of which were close to VO2 @ LT (65.2 +/- 4.4% VO2max). The slight decrease in blood La was found from min 20 to min 60, and this was accompanied by a parallel decline in respiratory exchange ratio. Shifts in the energy substrate toward a reliance on fat oxidation may occur during the course of 1-h running at Vt @t LT. The small oxygen debt observed after the 1-h running may confirm the assumption that prolonged running at Vt at LT would be performed in an almost fully aerobic steady state. We conclude that prolonged running at Vt @ LT may possibly maximize health-related benefits in the healthy adult.     

Hemodynamic responses to static and dynamic muscle contractions at equivalent workloads

We tested the hypothesis that static contraction causes greater reflex cardiovascular responses than dynamic contraction at equivalent workloads [i.e., same tension-time index (TTI), holding either contraction time or peak tension constant] in chloralose-anesthetized cats. When time was held constant and tension was allowed to vary, dynamic contraction of the hindlimb muscles evoked greater increases (means +/- SE) in mean arterial pressure (MAP; 50 +/- 7 vs. 30 +/- 5 mmHg), popliteal blood velocity (15 +/- 3 vs. 5 +/- 1 cm/s), popliteal venous PCO(2) (15 +/- 3 vs. 3 +/- 1 mmHg), and a greater decrease in popliteal venous pH (0.07 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.03 +/- 0.01), suggesting greater metabolic stimulation during dynamic contraction. Similarly, when peak tension was held constant and time was allowed to vary, dynamic contraction evoked a greater increase in blood velocity (13 +/- 1 vs. -1 +/- 1 cm/s) without causing any differences in other variables. To investigate the reflex contribution of mechanoreceptors, we stretched the hindlimb dynamically and statically at the same TTI. A larger reflex increase in MAP during dynamic stretch (32 +/- 8 vs. 24 +/- 6 mmHg) was observed when time was held constant, indicating greater mechanoreceptor stimulation. However, when peak tension was held constant, there were no differences in the reflex cardiovascular response to static and dynamic stretch. In conclusion, at comparable TTI, when peak tension is variable, dynamic muscle contraction causes larger cardiovascular responses than static contraction because of greater chemical and mechanical stimulation. However, when peak tensions are equivalent, static and dynamic contraction or stretch produce similar cardiovascular responses.     

Hemodynamic responses during exercise at and above VO2max in swine

Mean arterial pressure (Pa), heart rate, cardiac output (Q), and Q distribution (with radiolabeled microspheres) were measured in miniature swine as they ran at high levels on a motor-driven treadmill. Each animal ran on two occasions: once during exercise at maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) and once at an intensity estimated to require approximately 115% VO2max. The purpose was to assess these cardiovascular variables to determine whether the calculated resistance to blood flow during supramaximal exercise was different from that during maximal exercise. A total of 114 tissues/organs were dissected for blood flow analysis. Pa and Q were unaltered between the two exercise conditions. Blood flow to all but one of the 62 skeletal muscles sampled was unchanged between conditions as were the blood flows to the visceral organs and brain. The results demonstrate that vascular resistance was constant in all these tissues between maximal and supramaximal exercise intensities. Elevated blood flows were measured in 7 of the 11 coronary sites sampled. Calculated resistance to blood flow indicated that a decrease in resistance occurred in most of the samples having elevated blood flow. Because heart rate was elevated during the supramaximal exercise, the increase in blood flow was probably in response to the greater myocardial work and concomitant elevation in O2 demand. In summary, it was shown that Pa, Q, and Q distribution in most tissues remained unchanged during exercise at intensities above VO2max. Thus a precise matching occurs between the increasingly powerful vasoconstrictor drive initiated by the sympathetic nervous system and the elevated local vasodilatory drive responding to the greater O2 demand during the supramaximal exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of plasma catecholamines on the lactate threshold during graded exercise

This investigation examined the relationship among plasma catecholamines, the blood lactate threshold (TLa), and the ventilatory threshold (TVE) in highly trained endurance athletes. Six competitive cyclists and six varsity cross-country runners performed a graded exercise test via two different modalities: treadmill running and bicycle ergometry. Although maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) did not differ significantly for the cyclists for treadmill running and cycling (64.6 +/- 1.0 and 63.5 +/- 0.4 ml O2.kg-1-min-1, respectively), both TLa and TVE occurred at a relatively earlier work load during the treadmill run. The opposite was true for the runners as TLa and TVE appeared at an earlier percent of VO2max during cycling compared with treadmill running (60.0 +/- 1.7 vs. 75.0 +/- 4.0%, respectively, TLa). The inflection in plasma epinephrine shifted in an identical manner and occurred simultaneously with that of TLa (r = 0.97) regardless of the testing protocol or training status. Although a high correlation (r = 0.86) existed for the shift in TVE and TLa, this relationship was not as strong as was seen with plasma epinephrine. The results suggest that a causal relationship existed between the inflection in plasma epinephrine and TLa during a graded exercise test. This association was not as strong for TVE and TLa.     

Failure to obtain a unique threshold on the blood lactate concentration curve during exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare various methods and criteria used to identify the anaerobic threshold (AT), and to correlate the AT obtained with each other and with running performance. Furthermore, a number of additional points throughout the entire range of lactate concentrations [La⁻] were obtained and correlated with performance. A group of 19 runners [mean age 33.7 (SD 9.6) years, height 173 (SD 6.3) cm, body mass 68.3 (SD 5.4) kg, maximal O₂ uptake (V˙O_{2 max} ) 55.2 (SD 5.9) ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹] performed a maximal multistage treadmill test (1 km · h⁻¹ every 3.5 min) with blood sampling at the end of each stage while running. All AT points selected (visual [La⁻], 4 mmol · l⁻¹ [La⁻], 1 mmol · l⁻¹ above baseline, log-log breakpoint, and 45° tangent to the exponential regression) were highly correlated one with another and with performance (r > 0.90) even when there were many differences among the AT (P < 0.05). The additional points (ranging from 3 to 8 mmol · l⁻¹ [La⁻], 1 to 6 mmol · l⁻¹ [La⁻] above the baseline, and 30 to 70° tangent to the exponential curve of [La⁻]) were also highly correlated with performance (r > 0.90). These results failed to demonstrate a distinct AT because many points of the curve provided similar information. Intercorrelations and correlations between AT and performance were, however, reduced when AT were expressed as the percentage of maximal treadmill speed obtained at AT or percentage of V˙O_{2 max} . This would indicate that different attributes of aerobic performance (i.e. maximal aerobic power, running economy and endurance) are measured when manipulating units. Thus, coaches should be aware of these results when they prescribe an intensity for training and concentrate more on the physiological consequences of a chosen [La⁻] rather than on a “threshold”. Accepted: 22 October 1997     

Thermal responses of men and women during cold-water immersion: influence of exercise intensity

The influence of exercise intensity on thermoregulation was studied in 8 men and 8 women volunteers during three levels of arm-leg exercise (level I: 700 ml oxygen (O2).min-1; level II: 1250 ml O2.min-1; level III: 1700 ml O2.min-1) for 1 h in water at 20 and 28 degrees C (Tw). For the men in Tw 28 degrees C the rectal temperature (Tre) fell 0.79 degree C (P less than 0.05) during immersion in both rest and level-I exercise. With level-II exercise a drop in Tre of 0.54 degree C (P less than 0.05) was noted, while at level-III exercise Tre did not change from the pre-immersion value. At Tw of 20 degrees C, Tre fell throughout immersion with no significant difference in final Tre observed between rest and any exercise level. For the women at rest at Tw 28 degrees C, Tre fell 0.80 degree C (P less than 0.05) below the pre-immersion value. With the two more intense levels of exercise Tre did not decrease during immersion. In Tw 20 degrees C, the women maintained higher Tre (P less than 0.05) during level-II and level-III exercise compared to rest and exercise at level I. The Tre responses were related to changes in tissue insulation (I(t)) between rest and exercise with the largest reductions in I(t) noted between rest and level-I exercise across Tw and gender. For mean and women of similar percentage body fat, decreases in Tre were greater for the women at rest and level-I exercise in Tw 20 degrees C (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Estrogen replacement in middle-aged women: thermoregulatory responses to exercise in the heat.

Thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and body fluid responses during exercise in the heat were tested in five middle-aged (48 +/- 2 yr) women before and after 14-23 days of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). The heat and exercise challenge consisted of a 40-min rest period followed by semirecumbent cycle exercise (approximately 40% maximal O2 uptake) for 60 min. At rest, the ambient temperature was elevated from a thermoneutral (dry bulb temperature 25 degrees C; wet bulb temperature 17.5 degrees C) to a warm humid (dry bulb temperature 36 degrees C; wet bulb temperature 27.5 degrees C) environment. Esophageal (Tes) and rectal (Tre) temperatures were measured to estimate body core temperature while arm blood flow and sweating rate were measured to assess the heat loss response. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured to evaluate the cardiovascular response. Blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin ([Hb]), plasma 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), protein, and electrolyte concentrations. Plasma [E2] was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated by ERT without affecting the plasma [P4] levels. After ERT, Tes and Tre were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by approximately 0.5 degrees C, and the Tes threshold for the onset of arm blood flow and sweating rate was significantly (P < 0.05) lower during exercise. After ERT, heart rate during exercise was significantly lower (P < 0.05) without notable variation in mean arterial pressure. Isotonic hemodilution occurred with ERT evident by significant (P < 0.05) reductions in Hct and [Hb], whereas plasma tonicity remained unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Energetic equivalent of the production of plasma lactate during running of supramaximal intensity

The energy equivalent of plasma lactate production (ELAp) represents the amount of energy that can be derived from the anaerobic glycolysis per kg body weight when the peak plasma lactate concentration (LAp) after exercise increases by 1 mM. ELAp has been calculated from the relationship between the oxygen deficit (Do2) and LAp in 32 subjects. LAp and oxygen uptake measurements were made during constant speed supramaximal running until exhaustion or during the course of constant-speed supramaximal runs of different duration interrupted by 8- to 10- min resting periods. The relationship between Do2 and LAp is described by a linear equation where the slope is equal to ELAp. This equation is: Do2 = 12.3 + 2.4 LAp (r = 0.958; P less than 0.001), where Do2 is expressed in ml O2/kg and LAp in mmol/litre (mM). These findings validate LAp measurements as an index of the anaerobic metabolism during supramaximal running.     

Cardiovascular responses to facial cooling during low and moderate intensity exercise

To investigate the hypothesis that facial cooling (FC) exerts a greater influence on the cardiovascular system at lower versus higher levels of exercise, this study examined the effect of facial cooling [mean (SE): 0 (2)°C at 0.8 m·s^–1 wind velocity] during 30 min low [35% maximum oxygen consumption ( O_2max)] and moderate (70% O_2max) levels of cycle ergometry in the supine position. Five male subjects were assigned in random order to four exercise conditions: (1) FC at 35% O_2max(FC35), (2) no cooling (NFC35), (3) FC at 70% O_2max(FC70), and (4) no cooling (NFC70). Heart rate (f _c), stroke volume (V _s), and cardiac output ( _c) were measured at rest and every 10 min of exercise using impedance cardiography. During FC35, the change in f _c [mean (SE)] was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than NFC35 at 10 [22 (5) vs 31 (3) beats· min^–1], 20 [29 (6) vs 35 (3) beats·min^–1], and 30 [29 (5) vs 38 (4) beats·min^–1] min. No differences in f _c were observed between FC70 and NFC70. Furthermore, FC had no effect on V _s or _cat either exercise intensity. However, when comparing the FC70 and NFC70 conditions, there was a significant main effect (P<0.05) in mean arterial pressure (P _a) response with cooling despite the fact that neither V _s or _cwere different from the NFC70 control. The increase (P < 0.05) in the estimated change in systemic vascular resistance ( _a· _c ^–1) could partly explain the relative rise in _aat FC70. No pressor effect of cooling was observed at 35% O_2max. The results suggest that the FC condition promotes exercise bradycardia at low levels of exercise and exerts a greater pressor response during moderate exercise.     

Influence of mild exercise at the lactate threshold on glucose effectiveness.

The effect of a single bout of mild exercise on glucose effectiveness (S(G)) and insulin sensitivity (S(I)) was studied in six young male subjects by using a minimal model. An intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed under two conditions as follows: 1) 25 min after a bout of exercise on a cycle ergometer at the lactate threshold level for 60 min (Ex) and 2) without any prior exercise (Con). Leg blood flow (LBF) was also measured by strain-gauge plethysmography simultaneously with blood sampling. S(I) did not significantly change after exercise (18.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 17.7 +/- 1.9 x 10-(5) min/pM), whereas S(G) significantly increased (0.016 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.025 +/- 0.002 min(-1), P < 0.01). The increased blood flow after exercise remained high during the time period for measurement of the glucose disappearance constant and may be a determinant of S(G). The incremental lactate area under the curve until insulin loading was also significantly higher in Ex than in Con (2.6 +/- 0.9 vs. -3.5 +/- 1.5 mM/min, P < 0.05). These results suggest that increased S(G) after mild exercise may be due, at least in part, to increased LBF and lactate production under a hyperglycemic state.     

Ventilatory and cardiac responses to hypoxia at submaximal exercise are independent of altitude and exercise intensity

The hypoxic exercise test combining a 4,800-m simulated altitude and a cycloergometer exercise at 30% of normoxic maximal aerobic power (MAP) is used to evaluate the individual chemosensitivity to hypoxia in submaximal exercise conditions. This test allows the calculation of three main parameters: the decrease in arterial oxygen saturation induced by hypoxia at exercise (ΔSa(e)) and the ventilatory (HVR(e)) and cardiac (HCR(e)) responses to hypoxia at exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of altitude and exercise intensity on the values of ΔSa(e), HVR(e), and HCR(e). Nine subjects performed hypoxic tests at three simulated altitudes (3,000 m, 4,000 m, and 4,800 m) and three exercise intensities (20%, 30%, and 40% MAP). ΔSa(e) increased with altitude and was higher for 40% MAP than for 20% or 30% (P < 0.05). For a constant heart rate, the loss in power output induced by hypoxia, relative to ΔSa(e), was independent of altitude (4,000-4,800 m) and of exercise intensity. HVR(e) and HCR(e) were independent of altitude (3,000-4,800 m) and exercise intensity (20%-40% MAP). Moreover, the intraindividual variability of responses to hypoxia was lower during moderate exercise than at rest (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Therefore, we suggest that HVR(e) and HCR(e) are invariant parameters that can be considered as intrinsic physiological characteristics of chemosensitivity to hypoxia.     

Gender differences in glucose kinetics and substrate oxidation during exercise near the lactate threshold.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine plasma glucose kinetics and substrate oxidation in men and women during exercise relative to the lactate threshold (LT). Subjects cycled for 25 min at 70 and 90% of O(2) uptake (VO(2)) at LT (70 and 90% LT, respectively). Plasma glucose appearance (R(a)) and disappearance (R(d)) were determined with a primed constant infusion of [6,6-(2)H]glucose. There were no significant differences in glucose R(a) between men [22.6 +/- 1.9 and 39.9 +/- 3.9 micromol x kg fat-free mass (FFM)(-1) x min(-1) for 70 and 90% LT, respectively] and women (22.3 +/- 2.7 and 33.9 +/- 5.7 micromol x kg FFM(-1) x min(-1) for 70 and 90% LT, respectively). Similarly, there were no significant differences in glucose R(d) between men (21.2 +/- 1.9 and 38.1 +/- 3.7 micromol x kg FFM(-1) x min(-1) for 70 and 90% LT, respectively) and women (21.3 +/- 2.8 and 33.3 +/- 5.6 micromol x kg FFM(-1) x min(-1) for 70 and 90% LT, respectively). Although there were no differences between genders in the relative contribution of carbohydrate (CHO) to total energy expenditure, the relative contribution of muscle glycogen to total CHO oxidation (75.8 +/- 3.2 and 64.2 +/- 8.0% for men and women, respectively, at 70% LT and 75.1 +/- 2.6 and 60.1 +/- 11.2% for men and women, respectively, at 90% LT) was lower in women. Consequently, the relative contribution of blood glucose to total CHO oxidation was significantly higher in women. These results indicate that although plasma glucose R(a) and R(d) are similar in men and women, the relative contribution of muscle glycogen and blood glucose is significantly different in women during moderate-intensity exercise relative to LT.     

Determination of the lactate threshold and maximal blood lactate steady state intensity in aged rats

The reliability of the lactate threshold (LT) determined in aged rats and its validity to identify an exercise intensity corresponding to the maximal blood lactate steady state (MLSS) were analyzed. Eighteen male aged Wistar rats (～365 days) were submitted to two incremental swimming tests until exhaustion, consisting of an initial load corresponding to 1% of body mass (BM) and increments of 1% BM at each 3‐min with blood lactate ([lac]) measurements. The LT was determined by visual inspection (LT_V) as well by applying a polynomial function on the [lac]/workload ratio (LT_P) by considering the vertices of the curve. For the MLSS, twelve animals were submitted, on different days, to 3–4 exercise sessions of 30‐min with workload corresponding to 4, 5 or 6% BM. The MLSS was considered the highest exercise intensity at which the [lac] variation was not higher than 0.07 mM.min^?1 during the last 20‐min. No differences were observed for the test‐retest results (4.9 ± 0.7 and 5.0 ± 0.8 %BM for LTv; and 6.0 ± 0.6 and 5.8 ± 0.6 %BM for LTp) that did not differ from the MLSS (5.4 ± 0.5 %BM). The LT identified for aged rats in swimming, both by visual inspection and polynomial function, was reliable and did not differ from the MLSS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aerobic training effects on maximum oxygen consumption, lactate threshold and lactate disappearance during exercise recovery of dogs

1. Dogs were submitted to an aerobic training schedule and its maximum oxygen consumption, lactate threshold and lactate concentration during recovery were compared among the following conditions: not trained (UT), after 1 month of training (T1), after 2 months of training (T2) and after detraining (DT). 2. Maximum oxygen consumption increased significantly in relation to UT condition only at T2 condition. The detraining reversed this alteration. 3. Lactate threshold when expressed as Vo2 or absolute work load increased significantly after aerobic training (T2) but did not present any alteration when it was expressed as % of Vo2 max. 4. The lactate decreasing during recovery did not differ between the four experimental conditions (after 10 min). 5. The latency time for the lactate concentration to reach the top values was reduced by aerobic training (T2).     

Blood glucose responses in humans mirror lactate responses for individual anaerobic threshold and for lactate minimum in track tests

The equilibrium point between blood lactate production and removal (La-(min)) and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) protocols have been used to evaluate exercise. During progressive exercise, blood lactate [La-]b, catecholamine and cortisol concentrations, show exponential increases at upper anaerobic threshold intensities. Since these hormones enhance blood glucose concentrations [Glc]b, this study investigated the [Glc] and [La-]b responses during incremental tests and the possibility of considering the individual glucose threshold (IGT) and glucose minimum (Glc(min)) in addition to IAT and La-(min) in evaluating exercise. A group of 15 male endurance runners ran in four tests on the track 3000 m run (v3km); IAT and IGT - 8 x 800 m runs at velocities between 84% and 102% of v3km; La-(min) and Glc(min) - after lactic acidosis induced by a 500-m sprint, the subjects ran 6 x 800 m at intensities between 87% and 97% of v3km; endurance test (ET) - 30 min at the velocity of IAT. Capillary blood (25 microl) was collected for [La-]b and [Glc]b measurements. The IAT and IGT were determined by [La-]b and [Glc]b kinetics during the second test. The La-(min) and Glc(min) were determined considering the lowest [La-] and [Glc]b during the third test. No differences were observed (P < 0.05) and high correlations were obtained between the velocities at IAT [283 (SD 19) and IGT 281 (SD 21) m. x min(-1); r = 0.096; P < 0.001] and between La-(min) [285 (SD 21)] and Glc(min) [287 (SD 20) m. x min(-1) r = 0.77; P < 0.05]. During ET, the [La-]b reached 5.0 (SD 1.1) and 5.3 (SD 1.0) mmol x l(-1) at 20 and 30 min, respectively (P > 0.05). We concluded that for these subjects it was possible to evaluate the aerobic capacity by IGT and Glc(min) as well as by IAT and La-(min).     

Blood lactate during constant-load exercise at aerobic and anaerobic thresholds

Venous blood lactate concentrations [1ab] were measured every 30 s in five athletes performing prolonged exercise at three constant intensities: the aerobic threshold (Thaer), the anaerobic threshold (Than) and at a work rate (IWR) intermediate between Thaer and Than. Measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were made every min. Most of the subjects maintained constant intensity exercise for 45 min at Thaer and IWR, but at Than none could exercise for more than 30 min. Relationships between variations in [1ab] and concomitant changes in VO2 or HR were not statistically significant. Depending on the exercise intensity (Thaer, IWR, or Than) several different patterns of change in [1ab] have been identified. Subjects did not necessarily show the same pattern at comparable exercise intensities. Averaging [1ab] as a function of relative exercise intensity masked spatial and temporal characteristics of individual curves so that a common pattern could not be discerned at any of the three exercise levels studied. The differences among the subjects are better described on individual [1ab] curves when sampling has been made at time intervals sufficiently small to resolve individual characteristics.     

Hemodynamic responses to 30-min cycling exercise at 70% VO2 max both in ambiant air and during chest-immersion

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of water immersion to the chest on cardio-vascular adaptation to exercise. Upright or sitting immersion causes an increase in central blood volume, but it remains controversial whether central blood volume remains elevated during dynamic exercise in water and facilitates cardiac adaptation, depending particularly on the intensity of exercise which can be matched for O2 consumption (metabolic range) or for mechanical intensity (work load). We have compared hemodynamic variables measured during two cycling exercises at the same mechanical intensity, performed both in ambiant air and during immersion up to the chest.