Muscle reoxygenation difference between superficial and deep regions of the muscles during static knee extension.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that differences in vertical spatial difference in reoxygenation after exercise exists, reflecting heterogeneity of muscle oxygenation during exercise might be due to the difference in dominantly recruited muscle fiber type. METHODS: Ten healthy female subjects performed 1 min static knee extension exercise at low (30%) and high (60%) fraction of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Muscle oxygenation in the vastus lateralis (VL) was monitored using multi channel near-infrared spectroscopy. Half time reoxygenation (T(1/2)reoxy) after exercise was calculated from oxygenated hemoglobin in the eight channels which changed the distance between light source and detector distances at 2,3,4,5 cm. Blood flow (BF) in the femoral artery was measured by Doppler ultrasound. Mean arterial blood pressure (BP) at the end of the exercise was assessed by a Finometer device. RESULTS: BF during exercise did not differ significantly during exercise at low and high intensity, whereas BP was elevated at high intensity. T(1/2)reoxy tended to be prolonged at high intensity. It would be due to a transition of muscle fiber recruitment from type I toward type II fiber dominance, and/or insufficient oxygen supply for increased demand in the muscle. T(1/2)reoxy in different light source and detector distances was not different among them. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the reoxygenation in the superficial region did not differ from that in the deeper region, including superficial, even when exercise intensity was high.

Perceived exertion is not necessarily associated with altered brain activity during exercise.

Previous studies have investigated the relationship between prefrontal cortex activation and perceived exertion during prolonged exercise. However, the effect of perceived exertion on prefrontal cortex activity is confounded by exercise intensity. Therefore, the changes in prefrontal cortex activity in response to perceived exertion remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the activation (oxygenation) of the prefrontal cortex and perceived exertion during constant work-rate elbow-flexion exercise with or without muscle-spindle stimulation. Ten healthy, right-handed subjects participated in the study. Near-infrared spectroscopy with probes positioned over the prefrontal cortex measured its activation throughout elbow-flexion exercise. Subjects performed sustained elbow-flexion exercise at 25-35% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with or without muscle-spindle stimulation (vibration), which can decrease perceived exertion. The ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower during exercise with vibration (Ex-Vib) than during exercise without vibration (Ex) (p<0.05). The oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex during Ex-Vib did not significantly differ from that during Ex (p>0.05). These results indicated that perceived exertion was not necessarily associated with prefrontal cortex activation during exercise.

Low-volume muscular endurance and strength training during 3-week forearm immobilization was effective in preventing functional deterioration.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether endurance and strength hand grip exercises during 3-week upper limb immobilization preserve muscle oxidative capacity, endurance performance and strength. METHODS: Ten healthy adult men underwent non-dominant forearm immobilization by plaster cast for 21 days. Five healthy adult subjects were designated as the immobilization (IMM) group and five were designated as the immobilization + training (IMM+TRN) group. Grip strength, forearm circumference, dynamic handgrip endurance and muscle oxygenation response were measured before and after the 21 day immobilization period. Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), muscle oxygen consumption recovery (VO2mus) was recorded after a submaximal exercise and the recovery time constant (TcVO2mus) was calculated. Reactive hyperemic oxygenation recovery was evaluated after 5 minutes ischemia. Two training programs were performed by the IMM+TRN group twice a week. One exercise involved a handgrip exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) at a rate of 1 repetition per 1 second until exhaustion (about 60 seconds). The other involved a handgrip exercise at 70% MVC for 2 seconds with a 2 second rest interval, repeated 10 times (40 seconds). RESULTS: There was a significant group-by-time interaction between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the TcVO2mus (p = 0.032, F = 6.711). A significant group-by-time interaction was observed between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the MVC (p = 0.001, F = 30.415) and in grip endurance (p = 0.014, F = 9.791). No significant group-by-time interaction was seen in forearm circumference and reactive hyperemic oxygenation response either in IMM or IMM+TRN group. CONCLUSION: The training programs during immobilization period used in this experiment were effective in preventing a decline in muscle oxidative function, endurance and strength.

Multiple bouts of resistance exercise and postprandial triacylglycerol and serum C-reactive-protein concentrations.

The present study examined how multiple bouts of resistance exercise, performed over 1 d, influence 2 risk factors--postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) and serum C-reactive-protein (CRP) concentrations--associated with coronary heart disease. Twenty-four men age 23.5 (SD 3.4) y completed two 2-d trials, exercise and control, at least 1 wk apart in a counterbalanced randomized design. On day 1 of the exercise trials participants completed 20 sets of 15 repetitions of 5 different resistance exercises divided into five 45-min bouts of exercise--100 sets and 1500 repetitions in total for all exercises. Exercises were performed at 30-40% of 1-repetition maximum. Blood samples were taken before and after exercise. On day 1 of the control trial participants were inactive, with blood samples taken at time points corresponding to the exercise trial. On day 2 of both trials participants consumed a test meal (0.89 g fat, 1.23 g carbohydrate, 0.4 g protein, 60 kJ per kg body mass). Blood samples were obtained fasted and for 6 h postprandially. Total area under the postprandial TAG concentration versus time curve was 12% lower in the exercise than in the control trial (8.76 [3.54] vs. 9.94 [4.31] mmol.L(-1).6 h-1, respectively; P = 0.037). Serum CRP concentrations did not change over the 2 d in the control trial but increased in the exercise trial: trial x time interaction (P = 0.028). Multiple bouts of resistance exercise reduce postprandial TAG concentrations but increase serum CRP concentrations. The extent to which these findings are clinically relevant requires further study.

Age and activity status affect muscle reoxygenation time after maximal cycling exercise.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction of age and habitual physical activity on recovery time of muscle oxygenation following maximal cycling exercise (CycEXmax). METHODS: Twelve sedentary middle-aged (50+/-6), 13 sedentary elderly (66+/-3), 13 active middle-aged (53+/-5), and 20 active elderly (67+/-5) women participated in this study. We evaluated the peak pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during CycEXmax and the half-recovery time of muscle oxygenation (T1/2reoxy time) using near-infrared spectroscopy at the vastus lateralis (VL) during the recovery phase after CycEXmax. RESULTS: T1/2reoxy time was significantly greater in the elderly subjects than in the middle-aged subjects in both sedentary (P<0.05) and active groups (P<0.01). T1/2reoxy time of the active group was lower (P<0.01) than that of the sedentary group regardless of age. Age was significantly correlated to T1/2reoxy time in both sedentary and active groups (in both sedentary and active groups: P<0.01). The slope of T1/2reoxy time against age in the sedentary group was significantly greater (VL: P<0.05) than that of the active group. VO2peak showed significant inverse correlation with T1/2reoxy time at the VL in both sedentary and active groups. The slope of VO2peak against T1/2reoxy time showed no significant differences between middle-aged and elderly subjects. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that T1/2reoxy time was prolonged with aging, regardless of habitual physical activity levels. However, habitual physical activity may prevent the age-related prolongation in T1/2reoxy time after CycEXmax. VO2peak appears to be one of the major factors determining T1/2reoxy time, not age.

Increased postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations following resistance exercise.

PURPOSE: There is conflicting evidence whether a single bout of resistance exercise performed the day before a test meal can lower postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations. The present study examined the effect of a single session of resistance exercise, performed the same day as a test meal, on postprandial TAG concentrations in resistance-trained males. METHODS: Ten healthy males aged 25 (SD 2.6) yr performed two trials at least 1 wk apart in a counterbalanced, randomized design. In each trial, participants consumed a test meal (0.89 g of fat, 1.23 g of carbohydrate, 0.4 g of protein, 60 kJ.kg body mass). Before one meal, participants performed a 90-min bout of resistance exercise. Before the other meal, participants were inactive (control trial). Resistance exercise was performed using free weights and included three sets of 12 repetitions of each of 10 exercises. Sets were performed at 80% of 12-repetition maximum with a 3-min work and rest interval. Venous blood samples were obtained in the fasted state and for 5 h postprandially. RESULTS: Total area under the plasma TAG concentration versus time curve was higher (Student's t-test P = 0.008) on the exercise than control trial (mean +/- SE: 11.76 +/- 1.64 vs 7.94 +/- 1.08 mmol x L(-1) x 5 h(-1), respectively). Total area under the plasma myoglobin concentration versus time curve was higher (Student's t-test P = 0.010) on the exercise than control trial (16.68 +/- 3.34 vs 6.80 +/- 0.64 nmol x L(-1) x 5 h(-1); respectively). CONCLUSION: A single bout of resistance exercise can cause a transient elevation in postprandial TAG concentrations. The elevations in plasma myoglobin suggest postexercise muscle damage. Further investigation is needed to see if these findings are linked.

Noninvasive monitoring of deterioration in skeletal muscle function with forearm cast immobilization and the prevention of deterioration.

BACKGROUND: In this research inactivity was simulated by immobilizing the forearm region in a plaster cast. Changes in skeletal muscle oxidative function were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and the preventative effect of the training protocol on deterioration of skeletal muscle and the clinical utility of NIRS were examined. METHODS: Fourteen healthy adult men underwent immobilization of the forearm of the non-dominant arm by plaster cast for 21 days. Eight healthy adult subjects were designated as the immobilization group (IMM) and six were designated as the immobilization + training group (IMM+TRN). Grip strength, forearm circumference and dynamic handgrip exercise endurance were measured before and after the 21-day immobilization period. Using NIRS, changes in oxidative function of skeletal muscles were also evaluated. Muscle oxygen consumption recovery was recorded after the completion of 60 seconds of 40% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) dynamic handgrip exercise 1 repetition per 4 seconds and the recovery time constant (TcVO2mus) was calculated. RESULTS: TcVO2mus for the IMM was 59.7 +/- 5.5 seconds (average +/- standard error) before immobilization and lengthened significantly to 70.4 +/- 5.4 seconds after immobilization (p < 0.05). For the IMM+TRN, TcVO2mus was 78.3 +/- 6.2 seconds before immobilization and training and shortened significantly to 63.1 +/- 5.6 seconds after immobilization and training (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The training program used in this experiment was effective in preventing declines in muscle oxidative function and endurance due to immobilization. The experimental results suggest that non-invasive monitoring of skeletal muscle function by NIRS would be possible in a clinical setting.

Deterioration of muscle function after 21-day forearm immobilization.

PURPOSE: Although it is well known that immobilization causes muscle atrophy, most immobilization models have examined lower limbs, and little is known about the forearm. The purpose of this study was to determine whether forearm immobilization produces changes in muscle morphology and function. METHODS: Six healthy males (age: 21.5 +/- 1.4, mean +/- SD) participated in this study. The nondominant arm was immobilized with a cast (CAST) for 21 d, and the dominant arm was measured as the control (CONT). The forearm cross-sectional area (CSA) and circumference were measured as muscle morphology. Maximum grip strength, forearm muscle oxidative capacity, and dynamic grip endurance were measured as muscle function. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to measure CSA, and 31phosphorus MR spectroscopy was used to measure time constant (Tc) for phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery after submaximal exercise (PCr-Tc). Grip endurance was expressed by the number of handgrip contractions at 30% maximum grip strength load. All measurements were taken before and after the immobilization. RESULTS: After the 21-d forearm immobilization, no changes were seen for each measurement in CONT. CSA and the circumference showed no significant changes in CAST. However, maximum grip strength decreased by 18% (P < 0.05), PCr-Tc was prolonged by 45% (P < 0.05), and the grip endurance at the absolute load was reduced by 19% (P < 0.05) for CAST. CONCLUSION: In this model, 21-d forearm immobilization caused no significant changes in forearm muscle morphology, but the muscle function showed remarkable deterioration ranging from 18 to 45%.