Airflow restriction mask induces greater central fatigue after a non-exhaustive high-intensity interval exercise.

The airflow restriction mask (ARM) is a practical and inexpensive device for respiratory muscle training. Wearing an ARM has recently been combined with high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its effect on neuromuscular fatigue is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of ARM wearing on neuromuscular fatigue after an HIIE session. Fourteen healthy men performed two HIIE sessions (4 × 4 min at 90% HRmax , 3 min recovery at 70% HRmax ) with or without an ARM. Neuromuscular fatigue was quantified via pre- to post-HIIE changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA, central fatigue), and potentialized evoked twitch force at 100, 10, and 1 Hz (peripheral fatigue). Blood pH and lactate were measured before and after the HIIE session, while HR, SpO2 , dyspnea, physical sensation of effort (P-RPE), and Task Effort and Awareness (TEA) were recorded every bout. The exercise-induced decrease in MVC was higher (p < 0.05) in the ARM (-28 ± 12%) than in the Control condition (-20 ± 11%). The VA decreased (p < 0.05) in the ARM (-11 ± 11%) but not in the control condition (-4 ± 5%, p > 0.05). Pre- to post-HIIE declines in evoked twitch at 100, 10, and 1 Hz were similar (p > 0.05) between ARM and control conditions (ARM: -18 ± 10, -43 ± 11 and -38 ± 12%; Control: -18 ± 14, -43 ± 12 and -37 ± 17%). When compared with the control, the HIIE bout wearing ARM was marked by higher heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, dyspnea, P-RPE and TEA, as well as lower SpO2 and blood pH. In conclusion, ARM increases perceptual and physiological stress during a HIIE, which may lead to a greater post-exercise central fatigue.

Maytenus ilicifolia Extract Increases Oxygen Uptake without Changes in Neuromuscular Fatigue Development during a High-Intensity Interval Exercise.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of acute ingestion of Maytenus ilicifolia extract on metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses during a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and its consequence on neuromuscular fatigue. METHODS: Ten healthy men underwent a HIIE (4 x 4 min, 3 min recovery) one hour after ingesting 400 mg of Maytenus ilicifolia extract (MIE) or placebo. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2), dioxide carbon production (V̇CO2), ventilation (V̇E) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the HIIE. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), and evoked 1, 10 and 100 Hz force twitch were measured before supplementation (baseline), and before (pre-HIIE) and after the HIIE (post-HIIE). RESULTS: The V̇O2, V̇E, V̇E/V̇O2 ratio and HR increased progressively throughout the HIIE under both conditions (p < 0.05). MIE increased HR, however, at bouts 1 and 2 and mean V̇O2 during HIIE. The mean respiratory exchange ratio during recovery was also reduced with MIE (p < 0.05). MVC and evoked force at 1, 10 and 100 Hz declined similarly after HIIE, regardless of the condition (MIE: -18 ± 17%, -50 ± 15%, -61 ± 13% and -34 ± 10% vs. placebo: -19 ± 15%, -48 ± 16%, -58 ± 12 and -29 ± 11%, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no effect of exercise or MIE on VA (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: MIE increases heart rate in the first bouts and mean oxygen uptake during HIIE without changes in neuromuscular fatigue development.

Phase Transition in all-trans-ß-Carotene Crystal: Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectra.

In this study, we studied the stability of an all-trans-ß-carotene single crystal using Raman spectroscopy with line excitation at 632.8 nm, in the temperature range 20­300 K. The Raman spectra exhibit clear modifications in the spectral range of the lattice and internal vibrational modes. The temperature dependence of the most intense vibrational modes ν1 (1511 cm(­1)) and ν2 (1156 cm(­1)) that are related to the C═C and C­C stretching vibrations of the polyene chain, respectively, shows an upward shift on the Raman modes. This behavior is similar to that stated in the theoretical work of Wei-Long Liu et al. We conclude that the all-trans-ß-carotene crystal undergoes a temperature-induced phase transition at approximately 219 K. This transition is interpreted as a rotation experienced by ß-ring groups at each end of the all-trans-ß-carotene molecule around the dihedral angle. At low temperatures, the new molecular configuration affects the sliding plane of the space group C2h(5)(P2(1)/n), and the phase transition leads to an unchanged monoclinic structure; however, the original space group is possibly lowered to the space group C2. In the temperature range 200­220 K, the spectral ratio (S) of the integrated intensities of the spectral modes around the symmetric and asymmetric stretching wavenumbers of the methyl group (CH3) changes as a function of temperature in agreement with the phase transition. Furthermore, according to phase transition undergone by the all-trans-ß-carotene, the thermal results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry show an exothermic process that occurs near the transition temperature assigned by the Raman spectra.