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Physiological responses to maximal intermittent exercise: differences between endurance-trained runners and games
A L Hamilton1, M E Nevill, S Brooks
1Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Loughborough University of Technology, UK.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Games players showed greater performance decline during repeated sprints compared to endurance runners, likely due to higher glycolytic rates and lower oxygen uptake. This highlights differences in physiological responses to intense exercise between athlete types.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Athletes exhibit varied physiological responses to high-intensity exercise.
- Understanding differences between games players and endurance athletes is crucial for training.
- Sprint performance relies on both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the physiological responses and performance decrements during a repeated sprint test between games players and endurance-trained runners.
- To investigate the relationship between blood lactate, pH, oxygen uptake, and performance fatigue in these two groups.
Main Methods:
- Six games players and six endurance-trained runners performed ten 6-second all-out sprints with 30-second recovery on a non-motorized treadmill.
- Measurements included running speed, power output, oxygen uptake, blood lactate, and blood pH.
- Statistical analysis was used to compare groups and identify correlations.
Main Results:
- Games players exhibited a greater decrease in mean power output (29.3% vs 14.2%) and higher blood lactate levels (15.2 mM vs 12.4 mM) compared to endurance runners.
- Peak power output and peak speed were similar between groups, but games players showed a stronger correlation between peak blood lactate and performance fatigue.
- Endurance runners had a higher average oxygen uptake during the sprint test (35.0 ml kg-1 min-1 vs 29.6 ml kg-1 min-1).
Conclusions:
- Games players experience greater performance fatigue in repeated sprints, linked to higher glycolytic activity and potentially insufficient oxygen uptake.
- Endurance-trained athletes demonstrate superior aerobic contribution during repeated sprint efforts.
- These findings suggest distinct physiological adaptations influencing sprint performance between different athletic disciplines.