Major gene effects on exercise ventilatory threshold: the HERITAGE Family Study.

This study investigates whether there are major gene effects on oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (VO(2VT)) and the VO(2VT) maximal oxygen uptake (VT%VO(2 max)), at baseline and in response to 20 wk of exercise training by using data on 336 whites and 160 blacks. Segregation analysis was performed on the residuals of VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max). In whites, there was strong evidence of a major gene, with 3 and 2% of the sample in the upper distribution, that accounted for 52 and 43% of the variance in baseline VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max), respectively. There were no genotype-specific covariate effects (sex, age, weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass). The segregation results were inconclusive for the training response in whites, and for the baseline and training response in blacks, probably due to insufficient power because of reduced sample sizes or smaller gene effect or both. The strength of the genetic evidence for VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max) suggests that these traits should be further investigated for potential relations with specific candidate genes, if they can be identified, and explored through a genome-wide scan.     

IGF-I, IGFBPs, and inflammatory cytokine responses during gender-integrated Israeli Army basic combat training

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) is a robust metabolic and anabolic biomarker that has been demonstrated to be reflective of military training-induced body composition changes and influenced by initial aerobic fitness level. Greater mechanistic insight into the IGF-I response to physical training can potentially be gleaned by also examining other regulatory factors that influence IGF-I biological activity (i.e., insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins [IGFBPs] and inflammatory cytokine responses). The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of sex and initial fitness level on the IGF-I and inflammatory cytokine response to gender-integrated Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) basic combat training (BCT). Recruits (29 men, 19.1 ± 1.3 years; 93 women, 18.8 ± 0.6 years) were recruited from a 4-month gender-integrated BCT of the IDF. Blood was drawn and assayed for total IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBPs 1-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6, and interleukin 1 beta. Body composition was determined via a 4-site skinfold (biceps, triceps, suprailiac, and subscapular) equation. Physical performance was assessed via a maximum volume of oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O?max) test using a treadmill protocol. All measures were obtained pre- and posttraining. A 2-way (sex × time) analysis of variance was used to test for statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, subjects were further partitioned (men and women separately) by tertiles of initial V[Combining Dot Above]O?max to assess the influence of initial fitness level on the IGF-I system and inflammatory cytokine responses to physical training. Pearson product moment correlational analysis was also used to examine relationships between percent changes in blood measures and physical performance and body composition changes. All data are presented as mean ± SE. Time effects were observed only for total IGF-I, IGFBP-2, TNF-α, V[Combining Dot Above]O?max, fat-free mass, and fat mass. The only significant (p ≤ 0.05) correlations observed for percent changes were in men between total IGF-I and V[Combining Dot Above]O?max (r = 0.49) and body mass (r = -0.42) During gender-integrated Israeli Army BCT, men and women generally respond in a similar fashion with regard to blood measures (IGF-I system and inflammatory cytokines) and V[Combining Dot Above]O?max. Initial fitness level only influenced the IGF-I response to training in women. Although the training-induced changes in total IGF-I (increase), IGFBP-2 (decrease), and TNF-α (decrease) are all indicative of an enhanced circulating anabolic milieu, only total IGF-I for the men was correlated with body composition and fitness improvements.     

Angiogenin gene-race interaction for resting and exercise BP phenotypes: the HERITAGE Family Study.

We examined the association between an angiogenin gene polymorphism and blood pressure (BP) at rest and in response to acute exercise before and after a 20-wk endurance-training program. Subjects were 737 normotensive and borderline hypertensive subjects (257 black and 480 white). The polymorphism was detected by PCR and digestion with AvaII, yielding an allele of 253 bp or a rare allele of 194 + 59 bp. Resting and exercise [50 W; 60, 80, and 100% of maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max)] systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP were determined before and after training. Among blacks, adjusted SBP in the sedentary state was significantly lower in carriers of the rare allele at rest and exercise intensities of 60, 80, and 100% of VO2 max. In the trained state, carriers of the rare allele had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower SBP than did noncarriers at rest and at 80 and 100% of VO2 max. The genotypic effect observed among blacks was not evident among whites. Furthermore, change in BP (after--before) was not significantly associated with the genotype. In conclusion, the angiogenin gene AvaII polymorphism is associated with a lower SBP at rest and in response to acute high-intensity exercise in blacks but not in whites.     

TGF-beta(1) gene-race interactions for resting and exercise blood pressure in the HERITAGE Family Study.

We examined the possible association between a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) gene polymorphism in codon 10 and blood pressure (BP) at rest, in acute response to exercise in the pretrained (sedentary) and trained states, as well as in its training response (Delta) to 20 wk of endurance exercise. Subjects were 257 black and 480 white, healthy sedentary normotensive subjects from the HERITAGE Family Study. The polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and digestion with the Msp A1 I endonuclease yielding a wild (leucine-10) and a mutant (proline-10) allele. Resting and exercise [50 W plus 60, 80, and 100% maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)(max))] BP were determined before and after training. Significant (P < 0.05) race-genotype interactions were found for systolic (S) BP in both the sedentary and trained states. Among whites but not in blacks, the TGF-beta(1) genotypes were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with sedentary-state SBP at rest, at 50 W, and at 60 and 100% VO(2)(max)as well as with trained-state SBP at rest and at 80 and 100% VO(2)(max). The leucine-10 homozygotes had significantly (P < 0.05) lower SBP than proline-10 homozygotes. DeltaBP was not significantly associated with genotype. These results support the hypothesis of an association between the TGF-beta(1) marker in codon 10 and SBP at rest and in response to acute exercise in whites but not in blacks.     

Effect of high-intensity interval training on cardiovascular function, VO2max, and muscular force

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular force. Active, young (age and body fat = 25.3 ± 4.5 years and 14.3 ± 6.4%) men and women (N = 20) of a similar age, physical activity, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) completed 6 sessions of HIIT consisting of repeated Wingate tests over a 2- to 3-week period. Subjects completed 4 Wingate tests on days 1 and 2, 5 on days 3 and 4, and 6 on days 5 and 6. A control group of 9 men and women (age and body fat = 22.8 ± 2.8 years and 15.2 ± 6.9%) completed all testing but did not perform HIIT. Changes in resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), VO2max, body composition, oxygen (O2) pulse, peak, mean, and minimum power output, fatigue index, and voluntary force production of the knee flexors and extensors were examined pretraining and posttraining. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in VO2max, O2 pulse, and Wingate-derived power output with HIIT. The magnitude of improvement in VO2max was related to baseline VO2max (r = -0.44, p = 0.05) and fatigue index (r = 0.50, p < 0.05). No change (p > 0.05) in resting BP, HR, or force production was revealed. Data show that HIIT significantly enhanced VO2max and O2 pulse and power output in active men and women.     

Exercise and blood lymphocyte subset responses: intensity, duration, and subject fitness effects

This study examined the effect of exercise intensity and duration on the percent blood lymphocytes in men of low [LF; maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) less than 50 ml.kg-1.min-1 and sedentary], moderate (MF; VO2max = 50-60 ml.kg-1.min-1 and recreationally active), and high (HF; VO2max greater than 60 ml.kg-1.min-1 and recent training history) fitness. Thirty healthy adult men (aged 20-31 yr) participated in four randomly ordered cycle ergometer rides: ride 1 (65% VO2max, 30 min), ride 2 (30% VO2max, 60 min), ride 3 (75% VO2max, 60 min), and ride 4 (65% VO2max, 120 min). Blood samples were drawn at various times before and after the exercise sessions. Lymphocyte subsets were determined by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies for total T (CD3+), T-helper (CD4+), and T-suppressor (CD8+) lymphocytes and for a subset of cells expressing a natural killer (NK) cell antigen (Leu7+). Plasma catecholamines were assayed to determine exercise stress. There were sharp reductions (P less than 0.01) in the percentage of pan-T and T-helper lymphocytes immediately after exercise across all fitness levels; the magnitude of this reduction was greatest after the highest intensity (ride 3) or longest duration (ride 4) work. In contrast, the absolute number of T and T-helper cells tended to increase after exercise and significantly so in the HF subjects (P less than 0.005). There was no significant effect of exercise or subject fitness category on the percentage of T-suppressor lymphocytes, although the absolute numbers of this subset increased significantly after exercise in LF subjects. Marked increases (P less than 0.01) in the percentage of NK cells occurred immediately after exercise at all intensities and durations tested; numerical increases in total NK cells were significant in all fitness groups after the highest intensity work (ride 3; P less than 0.005). Irrespective of whether the changes were expressed as percentage or total numbers, recovery to base line occurred at 30 min after exercise. The results suggest that the exercise effect on blood lymphocyte subset percentages in men is transient and occurs across all fitness levels. Concomitant changes in plasma catecholamine concentrations are only weakly associated with these lymphocyte subset percentage responses to exercise. Furthermore, this study shows that the exercise-induced changes in lymphocyte percentages do not consistently reflect changes in the absolute numbers of cells.     

Cardiovascular responses of 70- to 79-yr-old men and women to exercise training

This study determined the effects of endurance or resistance exercise training on maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and the cardiovascular responses to exercise of 70- to 79-yr-old men and women. Healthy untrained subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 12) or to an endurance (n = 16) or resistance training group (n = 19). Training consisted of three sessions per week for 26 wk. Resistance training consisted of one set of 8-12 repetitions on 10 Nautilus machines. Endurance training consisted of 40 min at 50-70% VO2max and at 75-85% VO2max for the first and last 13 wk of training, respectively. The endurance training group increased its VO2max by 16% during the first 13 wk of training and by a total of 22% after 26 wk of training; this group also increased its maximal O2 pulse, systolic blood pressure, and ventilation, and decreased its heart rate and perceived exertion during submaximal exercise. The resistance training group did not elicit significant changes in VO2max or in other maximal or submaximal cardiovascular responses despite eliciting 9 and 18% increases in lower and upper body strength, respectively. Thus healthy men and women in their 70s can respond to prolonged endurance exercise training with adaptations similar to those of younger individuals. Resistance training in older individuals has no effect on cardiovascular responses to submaximal or maximal treadmill exercise.     

Pulmonary gas exchange during exercise in women: effects of exercise type and work increment.

Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) has been reported in male athletes, particularly during fast-increment treadmill exercise protocols. Recent reports suggest a higher incidence in women. We hypothesized that 1-min incremental (fast) running (R) protocols would result in a lower arterial PO(2) (Pa(O(2))) than 5-min increment protocols (slow) or cycling exercise (C) and that women would experience greater EIAH than previously reported for men. Arterial blood gases, cardiac output, and metabolic data were obtained in 17 active women [mean maximal O(2) uptake (VO(2 max)) = 51 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)]. They were studied in random order (C or R), with a fast VO(2 max) protocol. After recovery, the women performed 5 min of exercise at 30, 60, and 90% of VO(2 max) (slow). One week later, the other exercise mode (R or C) was similarly studied. There were no significant differences in VO(2 max) between R and C. Pulmonary gas exchange was similar at rest, 30%, and 60% of VO(2 max). At 90% of VO(2 max), Pa(O(2)) was lower during R (mean +/- SE = 94 +/- 2 Torr) than during C (105 +/- 2 Torr, P < 0.0001), as was ventilation (85.2 +/- 3.8 vs. 98.2 +/- 4.4 l/min BTPS, P < 0.0001) and cardiac output (19.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 21.1 +/- 1.0 l/min, P < 0.001). Arterial PCO(2) (32.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 30.0 +/- 0.6 Torr, P < 0.001) and alveolar-arterial O(2) difference (A-aDO(2); 22 +/- 2 vs. 16 +/- 2 Torr, P < 0.0001) were greater during R. Pa(O(2)) and A-aDO(2) were similar between slow and fast. Nadir Pa(O(2)) was 相似文献   

Relation of the White Blood Cell Count to Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Effect of Race and Gender

PRATLEY, RICHARD E, CHARLTON WILSON AND CLIFTON BOGARDUS. Relation of the white blood cell count to obesity and insulin resistance: effect of race and gender. Obes Res. Recent reports suggest that the white blood cell (WBC) count is related to plasma insulin concentrations and insulin resistance in healthy individuals. The present study examines whether these relations are independent of obesity and the pattern of body fat distribution and tests whether race and gender affect these relations. WBC counts, insulin responses to a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glucose disposal during a two-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were measured in 300 men and women (149 Pima Indians, 100 whites, and 51 blacks) with a wide range of obesity. WBC counts were lower in blacks than Pima Indians or whites and tended to be higher in women than men. The subgroups were comparable in age and body weight, but percent body fat and plasma insulin concentrations were higher and glucose disposal during the glucose clamp was lower in Pima Indians than in blacks or whites. In the group as a whole, the WBC count correlated with obesity (body mass index and percent body fat), the waist to thigh ratio (an index of the pattern of body fat distribution), and plasma insulin concentrations and was negatively related to age and glucose disposal during the clamp. In multiple regression analyses, only age, race and obesity were significantly associated with the WBC count. When the analyses were restricted to Pima men, in whom correlations between the WBC count and the metabolic variables appeared the strongest, the WBC count remained significantly associated with plasma insulin concentrations, but not glucose disposal, after controlling for age and obesity. The results of this study indicate that age, race, and obesity are significantly associated with the WBC count in healthy individuals. Plasma insulin concentrations, but not insulin resistance per se, may also be weakly associated with the WBC count, but this may be population specific.     

Physiological correlates of middle-distance running performance. A comparative study between men and women.

To compare the relative contributions of their functional capacities to performance in relation to sex, two groups of middle-distance runners (24 men and 14 women) were selected on the basis of performances over 1500-m and 3000-m running races. To be selected for the study, the average running velocity (v) in relation to performances had to be superior to a percentage (90% for men and 88% for women) of the best French v achieved during the season by an athlete of the same sex. Maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and energy cost of running (CR) were measured in the 2 months preceding the track season. This allowed us to calculate the maximal v that could be sustained under aerobic conditions, va,max. A v:va,max ratio derived from 1500-m to 3000-m races was used to calculate the maximal duration of a competitive race for which v = va,max (tva,max). In both groups va,max was correlated to v. The relationships calculated for each distance were similar in both sexes. The CR [0.179 (SD 0.010) ml.kg-1 x m-1 in the women versus 0.177 (SD 0.010) in the men] and tva,max [7.0 (SD 2.0) min versus 8.4 (SD 2.1)] also showed no difference. The relationships between VO2max and body mass (mb) calculated in the men and the women were different. At the same mb the women had a 10% lower CR than the men; their lower mb thus resulted in an identical CR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Geographic and racial variation in premature mortality in the U.S.: analyzing the disparities

Life expectancy at birth, estimated from United States period life tables, has been shown to vary systematically and widely by region and race. We use the same tables to estimate the probability of survival from birth to age 70 (S(70)), a measure of mortality more sensitive to disparities and more reliably calculated for small populations, to describe the variation and identify its sources in greater detail to assess the patterns of this variation. Examination of the unadjusted probability of S(70) for each US county with a sufficient population of whites and blacks reveals large geographic differences for each race-sex group. For example, white males born in the ten percent healthiest counties have a 77 percent probability of survival to age 70, but only a 61 percent chance if born in the ten percent least healthy counties. Similar geographical disparities face white women and blacks of each sex. Moreover, within each county, large differences in S(70) prevail between blacks and whites, on average 17 percentage points for men and 12 percentage points for women. In linear regressions for each race-sex group, nearly all of the geographic variation is accounted for by a common set of 22 socio-economic and environmental variables, selected for previously suspected impact on mortality; R(2) ranges from 0.86 for white males to 0.72 for black females. Analysis of black-white survival chances within each county reveals that the same variables account for most of the race gap in S(70) as well. When actual white male values for each explanatory variable are substituted for black in the black male prediction equation to assess the role explanatory variables play in the black-white survival difference, residual black-white differences at the county level shrink markedly to a mean of -2.4% (+/-2.4); for women the mean difference is -3.7% (+/-2.3).     

Sex differences in endurance capacity and metabolic response to prolonged, heavy exercise

In order to test for possible sex differences in endurance capacity, groups of young, physically active women (n = 6) and men (n = 7) performed bicycle ergometer exercise at 80% and 90% of their maximal oxygen uptakes (VO2 max). The groups were matched for age and physical activity habits. At 80% VO2 max the women performed significantly longer (P less than 0.05), 53.8 +/- 12.7 min vs 36.8 +/- 12.2 min, respectively (means +/- SD). Mid-exercise and terminal respiratory exchange ratio (R) values were significantly lower in women, suggesting a later occurrence of muscle glycogen depletion as a factor in their enhanced endurance. At 90% VO2 max the endurance times were similar for men and women, 21.2 +/- 10.3 min and 22.0 +/- 5.0 min, respectively. The blood lactate levels reached in these experiments were only marginally lower (mean differences 1.5 to 2 mmol X l-1) than those obtained at VO2 max, suggesting high lactate levels as a factor in exhaustion. The changes in body weight during the 80% experiments and the degree of hemoconcentration were not significantly different between men and women.     

Lymphocyte proliferation responses after exercise in men: fitness, intensity, and duration effects

This study investigated the effects of intensity and duration of exercise on lymphocyte proliferation as a measure of immunologic function in men of defined fitness. Three fitness groups--low [maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) = 44.9 +/- 1.5 ml O2.kg-1.min-1 and sedentary], moderate (VO2max = 55.2 +/- 1.6 ml O2.kg-1.min-1 and recreationally active), and high (VO2max = 63.3 +/- 1.8 ml O2.kg-1.min-1 and endurance trained)--and a mixed control group (VO2max = 52.4 +/- 2.3 ml O2.kg-1.min-1) participated in the study. Subjects completed four randomly ordered cycle ergometer rides: ride 1, 30 min at 65% VO2max; ride 2, 60 min at 30% VO2max; ride 3, 60 min at 75% VO2max; and ride 4, 120 min at 65% VO2max. Blood samples were obtained at various times before and after the exercise sessions. Lymphocyte responses to the T cell mitogen concanavalin A were determined at each sample time through the incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine [( 3H]TdR). Despite differences in resting levels of [3H]TdR uptake, a consistent depression in mitogenesis was present 2 h after an exercise bout in all fitness groups. The magnitude of the reduction in T cell mitogenesis was not affected by an increase in exercise duration. A trend toward greater reduction was present in the highly fit group when exercise intensity was increased. The reduction in lymphocyte proliferation to the concanavalin A mitogen after exercise was a short-term phenomenon with recovery to resting (preexercise) values 24 h after cessation of the work bout. These data suggest that single sessions of submaximal exercise transiently reduce lymphocyte function in men and that this effect occurs irrespective of subject fitness level.     

Plasma FFA responses to prolonged walking in untrained men and women

Gender differences in plasma FFA responses to 90 min of treadmill walking at 35% VO2max were investigated in six men and six women following an overnight fast. The subjects represented average values for maximal oxygen uptake and body fat percentage for age and gender. Mean plasma FFA concentration at 45 and 90 min of exercise were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher for women (0.82 mmol X 1(-1), 0.88 mmol X 1(-1)) than men (0.42 mmol X 1(-1), 0.59 mmol X 1(-1)). Lower R values for women throughout the exercise period indicated a greater percentage fat in total metabolism than for men while the FFA/glycerol results supported greater lipolytic activity for women. The uniformity of percent fat in metabolism for women from rest to exercise showed that FFA release from adipose tissue increased rapidly with the onset of exercise which was not the case for men. Comparison of metabolic data as well as a statistical analysis (ANCOVA) controlling for the influence of VO2max and percentage body fat on FFA plasma concentration suggested that gender differences in FFA responses to prolonged submaximal exercise can be expected to occur in untrained subjects.     

Maximal oxygen uptake during treadmill walking and running at various speeds.

Three groups of male subjects, average fitness (AF, N = 12), high fitness (HF, N = 7) and highly fit competitive race walkers (CRW, N = 3) performed maximal treadmill tests walking at 3.5 and 4.5 mph and running at 4.5, 5.5, 7.0, and 8.5 mph. In addition, the HF group performed a running test at 10.0 mph and the CRW group performed a walking test at 5.5 mph. All maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) tests with the exception of the 3.5 mph walking test (modified Balke test) were discontinuous in nature. VO2 max obtained from walking tests was similar regardless of speed within each group. Walking VO2 max was significantly lower than running VO2 max which was found to be similar over a speed range of 4.5 to 8.5 mph in the AF group. Running at 4.5 mph (HF group) and 4.5 and 5.5 mph (CRW group) resulted in lower VO2 max levels than running at speeds greater than or equal to 7.0 mph. Associated physiological variables (heart rate, ventilation, and respiratory exchange ratio) did not demonstrate a discernable pattern with reference to mode of locomotion (walking versus running) or speed. It was concluded that VO2 max elicited during walking is independent of speed and less than VO2 max obtained during running. Running VO2 max was interrelated with speed of running and state of training.     

Meta-analysis of the age-associated decline in maximal aerobic capacity in men: relation to training status

Based on cross-sectional data, we recently reported that, in contrast to the prevailing view, the rate of decline in maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2 max)) with age is greater in physically active compared with sedentary healthy women. We tested this hypothesis in men using a meta-analytic study of VO(2 max) values in the published literature. A total of 242 studies (538 subject groups and 13,828 subjects) met the inclusion criteria and were arbitrarily separated into sedentary (214 groups, 6,231 subjects), active (159 groups, 5,621 subjects), and endurance-trained (165 groups, 1,976 subjects) populations. Body fat percent increased with age in sedentary and active men (P < 0.001), whereas no change was observed in endurance-trained men. VO(2 max) was inversely and strongly related to age within each population (r = -0.80 to -0.88, all P < 0. 001) and was highest in endurance-trained and lowest in sedentary populations at any age. Absolute rates of decline in VO(2 max) with age were not different (P > 0.05) in sedentary (-4.0 ml. kg(-1). min(-1). decade(-1)), active (-4.0), and endurance-trained (-4.6) populations. Similarly, there were no group differences (P > 0.05) in the relative (%) rates of decline in VO(2 max) with advancing age (-8.7, -7.3, and -6.8%/decade, respectively). Maximal heart rate was inversely related to age within each population (r = -0.88 to -0.93, all P < 0.001), but the rate of age-related reduction was not different among the populations. There was a significant decline in running mileage and speed with advancing age in the endurance-trained men. The present cross-sectional meta-analytic findings do not support the hypothesis that the rate of decline in VO(2 max) with age is related to habitual aerobic exercise status in men.     

Fifteen-day cessation of training on selected physiological and performance variables in women runners

This study examined the effects of a 15-day cessation of training on maximal oxygen consumption and selected physiological variables (maximal heart rate, cardiac output [Q], stroke volume [SV], arteriovenous oxygen difference [(a-v)O2 diff], blood plasma concentration) in 15 women middle-distance competitive runners (.VO2max: 49.8 +/- 1.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). Subjects were randomly assigned to a cessation training (CT, n = 7) or maintenance training (MT, n = 8) group and tested every 5 days. Q was measured by CO2 rebreathing from which SV and (a-v)O2 diff were calculated. No significant changes were found at day 5. After 10 days there was a significant decrement in .VO2max (3.8 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) in the CT group, being significantly lower than MT but no changes thereafter in any physiological variables. Performance (2,400 m) times did not change for MT but was significantly slower (21.5 +/- 7.1 seconds) for the CT group after 15 days, corresponding to the 7.8% decrease in .VO2max. These findings suggest that in competitive women middle-distance runners, actual performance decrements found after 15 days of CT most likely are due to declines in .VO2max.     

Effect of training on cardiovascular response to exercise in women.

Seventeen women (mean age 31 yr) participated in a training program divided into an initial 9-wk period and a subsequent 52-wk period, during which time 6 continued to exercise and the remainder detrained. Improvements in VO2max were significant (+34%) during the initial 9 wk and small (+5%) for the final 52 wk. Four women who stopped training showed a decrease in VO2max (-10%) during the last phase. During the initial 9 wk, central adaptation was important, with SV showing an increase of 28% at 80% VO2max. Peripheral adaptation (a-v O2 difference) was unchanged. Subjects who trained an additional 52 wk showed a slight drop in SV at submaximal work loads from the initial increase following the first 9 wk. When compared with the initial test the change at 9 wk in peripheral adaptation was a small and nonsignificant rise, followed by a significant increase at 61 wk. Women who are very unfit initially (predicted VO2max of 28 ml/kg-min), apparently adapt to the initial training with a central change followed by a much stronger peripheral adaptation during a longer training program.     

Crossvalidation of two heart rate-based equations for predicting VO2max in white and black men

The purpose of this investigation was to crossvalidate 2 equations that use the ratio of maximal heart rate (HRmax) to resting HR (HRrest) for predicting maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in white and black men. One hundred and nine white (n = 51) and black (n = 58) men completed a maximal exercise test on a treadmill to determine VO2max. The HRrest and HRmax were used to predict VO2max via the HRindex and HRratio equations. Validity statistics were done to compare the criterion versus predicted VO2max values across the entire cohort and within each race separately. For the entire group, VO2max was significantly overestimated with the HRindex equation, but the HRratio equation yielded no significant difference compared with the criterion. In addition, there were no significant differences shown between VO2max and either HR-based prediction equation for the white subgroup. However, both equations significantly overestimated VO2max in the black group. Furthermore, large standard error of estimates (ranging from 6.92 to 7.90 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)), total errors (ranging from 8.30 to 8.62 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)), and limits of agreement (ranging from upper limits of 16.65 to lower limits of -18.25 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) were revealed when comparing the predicted to criterion VO2max for both the groups. Considering the results of this investigation, the HRratio and HRindex methods appear to crossvalidate and prove useful for estimating the mean VO2max in white men as a group but not for an age-matched group of black men. However, because of inflated values for error, caution should be exercised when using these methods to predict individual VO2max.