Re-interpreting anaerobic metabolism: an argument for the application of both anaerobic glycolysis and excess post-exercise oxygen comsumption (EPOC) as independent sources of energy expenditure

Energetic responses of head-out water immersion at different temperatures during post-exercise recovery and its consequence on anaerobic mechanical power

PURPOSE

While exercise recovery may be beneficial from a physiological point of view, it may be detrimental to subsequent anaerobic performance. To investigate the energetic responses of water immersion at different temperatures during post-exercise recovery and its consequences on subsequent anaerobic performance, a randomized and controlled crossover experimental design was performed with 21 trained cyclists.

METHOD

Participants were assigned to receive three passive recovery strategies during 10 min after a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT): control (CON: non-immersed condition), cold water immersion (CWI: 20 ℃), and hot water immersion (HWI: 40 ℃). Blood lactate, cardiorespiratory, and mechanical outcomes were measured during the WAnT and its recovery. Time constant (τ), asymptotic value, and area under the curve (AUC) were quantified for each physiologic parameter during recovery. After that, a second WAnT test and 10-min recovery were realized in the same session.

RESULTS

Regardless the water immersion temperature, water immersion increased [Formula: see text] (+ 18%), asymptote ([Formula: see text]+ 16%, [Formula: see text] + 13%, [Formula: see text] + 17%, HR + 16%) and AUC ([Formula: see text]+ 27%, [Formula: see text] + 18%, [Formula: see text] + 20%, HR + 25%), while decreased [Formula: see text] (- 33%). There was no influence of water immersion on blood lactate parameters. HWI improved the mean power output during the second WAnT (2.2%), while the CWI decreased 2.4% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Independent of temperature, water immersion enhanced aerobic energy recovery without modifying blood lactate recovery. However, subsequent anaerobic performance was increased only during HWI and decreased during CWI. Despite higher than in other studies, 20 °C effectively triggered physiological and performance responses. Water immersion-induced physiological changes did not predict subsequent anaerobic performance.

Physiological responses to swimming fatigue in juvenile largemouth bronze gudgeon Coreius guichenoti

Stepped velocity tests were conducted on juvenile largemouth bronze gudgeon Coreius guichenoti in a swim tunnel respirometer, and oxygen consumption increased with swimming speed to fatigue and then decreased during recovery. Serum levels of total protein, glucose and triglycerides initially decreased, increased at fatigue and then decreased during recovery. Levels stabilized after 120 min, corresponding to the time necessary to recover from fatigue.

Supersets do not change energy expenditure during strength training sessions in physically active individuals

Background/Objective

The energy expenditure (EE) in strength training (ST) is analyzed both during and after each training session. However, little information exists about the influence of strength exercises supersets on EE. We aimed to determine whether supersets of ST exercises influenced EE during and after one strength exercise session.

Methods

Twenty men were randomly divided to perform either a session with grouped exercises for the same muscle (GE: 26.6 ± 3.4 years; 17.4 ± 3.4 body fat) or a session with separated exercises (SE: 24.9 ± 2.6 years; 15.4 ± 5.9 body fat). Four exercises (5 sets of 8-10 maximum repetitions) for knee extensor muscles and shoulder horizontal flexor muscles were executed in both training sessions. The EE of each experimental session was obtained through the analysis of oxygen uptake during and after exercise (60 minutes postsession).

Results

Total work during the session and increases in lactate concentrations were similar between the GE and SE Groups. During exercise, EE was greater in the SE Group when compared with the GE Group (GE: 123.8 ± 14.36 kcal vs. SE: 131.77 ± 20.91 kcal). During the postexercise period, GE induced greater EE when compared with SE (GE: 25.12 ± 7.86 kcal vs. SE: 19.76 ± 5.53 kcal). However, the exercise sequence did not influence overall EE (GE: 148.92 ± 18.72 kcal vs. SE: 151.53 ± 17.97 kcal, p = 0.920).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that, in physically active men, ST supersets do not influence total EE during and 60 minutes after a single session.

Effects of circuit low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement on oxygen consumption during and after exercise

The purpose of this study was to examine oxygen consumption (VO(2)) during and after a single bout of low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement. Eleven healthy men performed the following three types of circuit resistance exercise on separate days: (1) low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement: 50% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) and 4 s each of lifting and lowering phases; (2) high-intensity resistance exercise with normal movement: 80% of 1-RM and 1 s each of lifting and lowering phases; and (3) low-intensity resistance exercise with normal movement: 50% of 1-RM and 1 s each of lifting and lowering phases. These three resistance exercise trials were performed for three sets in a circuit pattern with four exercises, and the participants performed each set until exhaustion. Oxygen consumption was monitored continuously during exercise and for 180 min after exercise. Average VO(2) throughout the exercise session was significantly higher with high- and low-intensity resistance exercise with normal movement than with low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement (P < 0.05); however, total VO(2) was significantly greater in low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement than in the other trials. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the total excess post-exercise oxygen consumption among the three exercise trials. The results of this study suggest that low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement induces much greater energy expenditure than resistance exercise with normal movement of high or low intensity, and is followed by the same total excess post-exercise oxygen consumption for 180 min after exercise.

Academic genealogy and direct calorimetry: a personal account

Each of us as a scientist has an academic legacy that consists of our mentors and their mentors continuing back for many generations. Here, I describe two genealogies of my own: one through my PhD advisor, H. T. (Ted) Hammel, and the other through my postdoctoral mentor, Knut Schmidt-Nielsen. Each of these pathways includes distingished scientists who were all major figures in their day. The striking aspect, however, is that of the 14 individuals discussed, including myself, 10 individuals used the technique of direct calorimetry to study metabolic heat production in humans or other animals. Indeed, the patriarchs of my PhD genealogy, Antoine Lavoisier and Pierre Simon Laplace, were the inventors of this technique and the first to use it in animal studies. Brief summaries of the major accomplishments of each my scientific ancestors are given followed by a discussion of the variety of calorimeters and the scientific studies in which they were used. Finally, readers are encouraged to explore their own academic legacies as a way of honoring those who prepared the way for us.

Consumo de oxigênio de recuperação em resposta a duas sessões de treinamento de força com diferentes intensidades

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o comportamento do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) em resposta a uma sessão de treinamento de força (TF) com objetivo em hipertrofia muscular (HP) com uma sessão com objetivo em resistência muscular localizada (RML). Nove indivíduos do sexo masculino (23,1 ± 2,1 anos) foram recrutados para este estudo. A força muscular dinâmica foi mensurada através do teste de 1RM. O VO2 foi coletado durante o repouso e 10 minutos de recuperação com um analisador de gases (CPX/D). As sessões foram compostas por um exercício de membros superiores (supino) e um de membros inferiores (agachamento), e compreenderam a execução de três séries de 6-8 repetições máximas (RM) a 80% de 1RM para HP e 15-20 RM a 55% de 1RM para RML. Foram analisados os dados de VO2 pós-exercício (EPOC), gasto energético (GE) de recuperação e constante de tempo de VO2 (CT). Foi observado que ambas sessões provocaram comportamento significativamente elevado de VO2 durante os 10min de recuperação em relação aos valores de repouso. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os valores de EPOC (litros) para HP (2,21 ± 0,54) e RML (2,60 ± 0,44), GE (kcal) para HP (10,36 ± 2,53) e RML (12,18 ± 2,04) e CT (segundos) para HP (56 ± 7) e RML (57 ± 6) (p > 0,05). Esses resultados demonstraram que uma sessão de TF com objetivo em RML é capaz de causar distúrbios metabólicos semelhantes àqueles provocados por uma sessão de HP, mesmo que seja em menor intensidade relativa a carga máxima.

Acute EPOC response in women to circuit training and treadmill exercise of matched oxygen consumption

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of circuit training (CT) and treadmill exercise performed at matched rates of oxygen consumption and exercise duration on elevated post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) in untrained women, while controlling for the menstrual cycle. Eight, untrained females (31.3 +/- 9.1 years; 2.04 +/- 0.26 l min(-1) estimated VO2max; BMI=24.6+/-3.9 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in the study. Testing was performed during the early follicular phase for each subject to minimize hormonal variability between tests. Subjects performed two exercise sessions approximately 28 days apart. Resting, supine energy expenditure was measured for 30 min preceding exercise and for 1 h after completion of exercise. Respiratory gas exchange data were collected continuously during rest and exercise periods via indirect calorimetry. CT consisted of three sets of eight common resistance exercises. Pre-exercise and exercise oxygen consumption was not different between testing days (P>0.05). Thus, exercise conditions were appropriately matched. Analysis of EPOC data revealed that CT resulted in a significantly higher (p<0.05) oxygen uptake during the first 30 min of recovery (0.27 +/- 0.01 l min(-1) vs 0.23+/-0.01 l min(-1)); though, at 60 min, treatment differences were not present. Mean VO2 remained significantly higher (0.231 +/- 0.01 l min(-1)) than pre-exercise measures (0.193 +/- 0.01 l min(-1)) throughout the 60-min EPOC period (p<0.05). Heart rate, RPE, V(E) and RER were all significantly greater during CT (p<0.05). When exercise VO2 and exercise duration were matched, CT was associated with a greater metabolic disturbance and cost during the early phases of EPOC.

Effect of exercise intensity, duration and mode on post-exercise oxygen consumption

In the recovery period after exercise there is an increase in oxygen uptake termed the 'excess post-exercise oxygen consumption' (EPOC), consisting of a rapid and a prolonged component. While some studies have shown that EPOC may last for several hours after exercise, others have concluded that EPOC is transient and minimal. The conflicting results may be resolved if differences in exercise intensity and duration are considered, since this may affect the metabolic processes underlying EPOC. Accordingly, the absence of a sustained EPOC after exercise seems to be a consistent finding in studies with low exercise intensity and/or duration. The magnitude of EPOC after aerobic exercise clearly depends on both the duration and intensity of exercise. A curvilinear relationship between the magnitude of EPOC and the intensity of the exercise bout has been found, whereas the relationship between exercise duration and EPOC magnitude appears to be more linear, especially at higher intensities. Differences in exercise mode may potentially contribute to the discrepant findings of EPOC magnitude and duration. Studies with sufficient exercise challenges are needed to determine whether various aerobic exercise modes affect EPOC differently. The relationships between the intensity and duration of resistance exercise and the magnitude and duration of EPOC have not been determined, but a more prolonged and substantial EPOC has been found after hard- versus moderate-resistance exercise. Thus, the intensity of resistance exercise seems to be of importance for EPOC. Lastly, training status and sex may also potentially influence EPOC magnitude, but this may be problematic to determine. Still, it appears that trained individuals have a more rapid return of post-exercise metabolism to resting levels after exercising at either the same relative or absolute work rate; however, studies after more strenuous exercise bouts are needed. It is not determined if there is a sex effect on EPOC. Finally, while some of the mechanisms underlying the more rapid EPOC are well known (replenishment of oxygen stores, adenosine triphosphate/creatine phosphate resynthesis, lactate removal, and increased body temperature, circulation and ventilation), less is known about the mechanisms underlying the prolonged EPOC component. A sustained increased circulation, ventilation and body temperature may contribute, but the cost of this is low. An increased rate of triglyceride/fatty acid cycling and a shift from carbohydrate to fat as substrate source are of importance for the prolonged EPOC component after exhaustive aerobic exercise. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying EPOC after resistance exercise.

Effects of resistance exercise bouts of different intensities but equal work on EPOC

PURPOSE

To compare the effect of low- and high-intensity resistance exercise of equal work output, on exercise and excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).

METHODS

Fourteen female subjects performed a no-exercise baseline control (CN), and nine exercises for two sets of 15 repetitions at 45% of their 8-RM during one session (LO) and two sets of 8 repetitions at 85% of their 8-RM during another session (HI). Measures for all three sessions included: heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La) preexercise, immediately postexercise and 20 min, 60 min, and 120 min postexercise; and ventilation volume (VE), oxygen consumption (VO(2)), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during exercise and at intervals 0-20 min, 45-60 min, and 105-120 min postexercise.

RESULTS

Exercise .VO(2) was not significantly different between HI and LO, but VE, [La], and HR were significantly greater for HI compared with LO. Exercise RER for HI (1.07 +/- 0.03 and LO (1.05 +/- 0.02) were significantly higher than CN (0.86 +/- 0.02), but there were no differences among conditions postexercise. EPOC was greater for HI compared with low at 0-20 min (HI,1.72 +/- 0.70 LO(2); LO, 0.9 +/- 0.65, LO(2)), 45-60 min (HI, 0.35 +/- 0.25 LO(2); LO, 0.14 +/- 0.19 LO2), and 105-120 min (HI, 0.22 +/- 0.22 LO(2); LO, 0.05 +/- 0.11, LO(2)).

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that for resistance exercise bouts with an equated work volume, high-intensity exercise (85% 8-RM) will produce similar exercise oxygen consumption, with a greater EPOC magnitude and volume than low-intensity exercise (45% 8-RM).

Energy expenditure of heavy to severe exercise and recovery

A method of indirect calorimetry is proposed that attempts to better quantify the energy expenditure associated with heavy/severe exercise and the recovery from that exertion. To accomplish this objective, the energy expenditure associated with rapid anaerobic glycolysis is separated from that of mitochondrial respiration both during and after heavy/severe exercise. This model contrasts with those hypotheses that employ oxygen uptake as the sole measure of energy expenditure (e.g. the oxygen debt) or that utilizing a measure of anaerobic energy expenditure while ignoring the recovery energy expenditure. Anaerobic metabolism and its energy promoting effect on oxidative recovery must be independently acknowledged regardless of the eventual fate of lactate.