Relationship between EMG blood lactate, and plasma catecholamine thresholds during graded exercise in men.

The aim of this study was to follow up the electromyographic activity (EMG) of dynamically working muscles with simultaneous determinations of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine concentrations during progressive exercise. Twenty eight male soccer players aged 20.6 +/- 0.8 yrs performed incremental bicycle ergometer exercise test. The test consisted of 3-min stages exercise separated by 1-min rest intervals. Work load at each stage increased by 50 W until volitional exhaustion. The root mean square (rms)-EMG activity of the rectus femoris and soleus muscles were recorded continuously during exercise. Venous blood samples were taken after each exercise stage for determination of blood lactate (LA). Additionally in seven subjects adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations were determined. The EMG activity increased negligibly during exercise of low to moderate intensities revealing an abrupt rise at the load corresponding to thresholds of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine accumulation (LA-T, A-T, NA-T). Close correlations (P < 0.001) were found between blood LA concentration and EMG derived from rectus f. (r = 0.72) and soleus (r = 0.68) muscles. The mean threshold exercise intensities for m. rectus f. and m. soleus EMG (176 +/- 9 W and 172 +/- 9 W, respectively) did not differ significantly from lactate (164 +/- 7 W), noradrenaline (178 +/- 6 W) and adrenaline (180 +/- 5 W) thresholds, all of them detected by log-log transformation. The results indicate that threshold character of EMG changes in dynamically working muscles reflects to some extend the patterns of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine changes during incremental exercise.

Psychomotor performance during prolonged exercise above and below the blood lactate threshold.

Previous investigations from this laboratory have demonstrated that during graded exercise with exercise intensities increasing every 3 min until exhaustion the multiple choice reaction time (RT) decreased until the intensity exceeded the lactate threshold (LT) by approximately 25%, and then rapidly increased. The aim of this study was to follow up changes in RT during prolonged exercise at constant intensities above and below LT and to relate these changes to changes in venous blood lactate [La-]b, and plasma catecholamine [CA]pl concentration responses to the exercise. For this purpose eight young soccer players exercised for 20-min on a cycle ergometer at 10% above LT, and nine exercised for 60 min at an intensity 30% below LT. During both tests RT, heart rate (HR), as well as [La-]b, and [CA]pl were measured. Above LT, RT decreased from the 5th min until the end of exercise, whilst HR, [La-]b, and [CA]pl increased progressively. Significant inverse correlations were ascertained between RT and plasma adrenaline (r = -0.651) and noradrenaline concentrations (r = -0.678). During exercise below LT, RT decreased up to approximately 40 min, then it reached a nadir, and stabilized at this level. This was accompanied by only small changes in [La-]b and [CA]pl. The present findings would indicate that young athletes are able to maintain for a relatively long time, or even increase, their psychomotor performance during endurance exercise both below and above the LT.

Physiological characteristics and hormonal profile of young normotensive men with exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise.

Exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise in normotensive subjects is considered as a predictor of future hypertension. The aim of the study was to find out whether elevated BP response to exercise is associated with any other haemodynamic, metabolic or hormonal abnormalities. Abnormal BP response to exercise, i.e. systolic BP (SBP) > 200 mmHg at 150 W or lower workload, was found in 37 out of 180 normotensive, male students, aged 20-24 years. Fifteen students with elevated exercise BP (group E) volunteered for further examinations. Their resting and ambulatory BP showed high normal values. Eight of them had a family history of hypertension. Four subjects met the criteria of cardiac hypertrophy. Significant correlations were found between exercise SBP and left ventricular mass index, average 24 h and daytime SBP recordings. In comparison with normal subjects of the same age (group N, n = 13), those from group E did not differ in body mass index, plasma lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and catecholamine (CA) concentrations, but had increased erythrocyte sodium content, slightly elevated plasma renin activity and cortisol level. During exercise, E subjects showed greater cardiac output (CO) increases with normal heart rate, total peripheral resistance (TPR) and plasma CA. There were no significant differences between groups in haemodynamic and plasma CA responses to posture change from supine to standing. Glucose ingestion (75 g) caused smaller increases in CO and smaller decreases in TPR in E than in N subjects without differences in BP, blood glucose plasma insulin and CA. It is concluded that young normotensive men with exaggerated BP response to exercise show some other characteristics that may be considered as markers of predisposition to hypertension or factors promoting the development of hypertension.

[Efficacy of mononitrate retard therapy in patients with advanced congestive heart failure]. / Skutecznosc monoazotanu retard u chorych z zaawansowana niewydolnoscia krazenia.

To determine the efficacy of mononitrate retard therapy in congestive heart failure 54 pts (42 males and 12 females, aged 67.2 +/- 8.7 yrs.) with NYHA functional class 1-3 and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% were investigated. Clinical examination, exercise treadmill test (ETT), ecg holter monitoring and echocardiography (echo-2D) were performed before and after 4 weeks of therapy with Olicard 40 mg Retard. 4 weeks treatment with mononitrate improved clinical parameters. The shift to lower functional NYHA class was observed in 12 cases (p < 0.01). Number of anginal pains per week was reduced from average 3.15 to 1.55 (p < 0.01). Mononitrate therapy improved exercise tolerance during ETT. Exercise time increased from 424 +/- 168 to 568 +/- 143 sec. (p < 0.001) as well as total workload in METS (3.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.9 +/- 1.9, p < 0.001). The time to 0.1 mV ischemic ST segment depression was extended from 215 +/- 149 to 357 +/- 173 sec. (p < 0.01). Holter monitoring revealed moderate increase in heart rate and significant reduction of ventricular arrhythmia (p < 0.05). No changes in systolic and diastolic echo-2D parameters were observed.