Effect of hyperventilation and prior heavy exercise on O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during transitions...

The effect of hyperventilation-induced hypocapnic alkalosis (HYPO) and prior heavy-intensity exercise (HVY) on pulmonary O(2) uptake (VO(2p)) kinetics were examined in young adults (n = 7) during moderate-intensity exercise (MOD). Subjects completed leg cycling exercise during (1) normal breathing (CON, P(ET)CO(2) approximately 40 mmHg) and (2) controlled hyperventilation (HYPO, P(ET)CO(2) approximately 20 mmHg) throughout the protocol, with each condition repeated on four occasions. The protocol consisted of two MOD transitions (MOD1, MOD2) to 80% estimated lactate threshold with MOD2 preceded by HVY (Delta50%); each transition lasted 6 min and was preceded by 20 W cycling. VO(2p) was measured breath-by-breath and concentration changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin/myoglobin (Delta[HHb]) of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Adjustment of VO(2p) and Delta[HHb] were modeled using a mono-exponential equation by non-linear regression. During MOD1, the phase 2 time constant (tau) for VO(2p)(tauVO(2p)) was greater (P < 0.05) in HYPO (45 +/- 24 s) than CON (28 +/- 17 s). During MOD2, tauVO(2p) was reduced (P < 0.05) in both conditions (HYPO: 24 +/- 7 s, CON: 20 +/- 8 s). The Delta[Hb(TOT)] and Delta[O(2)Hb] were greater (P < 0.05) prior to and throughout MOD2. The Delta[HHb] mean response time was similar in MOD1 and MOD2, and between conditions, however, the MOD1 Delta[HHb] amplitude was greater (P < 0.05) in HYPO compared to CON, with no differences between conditions in MOD2. These findings suggest that the speeding of VO(2p) kinetics after prior HVY in HYPO was related, in part, to an increase in microvascular perfusion.