Biochemical adaptations to training: implications for resisting muscle fatigue

Skeletal muscle activity is invariably associated with a decline in force-generating capacity (fatigue). The build-up of metabolic by-products such as intracellular H+ and inorganic phosphate (Pi) has been shown to be one of the potential mechanisms of muscle fatigue. The use of phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a repeatable and useful tool to study the effect of pH and Pi on force development. When maximal exercise is preceded by submaximal exercise to reduce the starting muscle pH and increase Pi, the degree of muscle fatigue correlates more strongly with H2PO4- than pH or Pi alone. However, other studies in humans have found that H2PO4- does not always correlate well with fatigue. The use of ramp exercise protocols allow repeatable and sensitive measurement of changes in muscle metabolism in response to endurance training. Chronic electrical stimulation in dogs and endurance training in humans results in reduced pH and Pi changes at the same exercise intensities. This means that the effect of pH and Pi in depressing force development is reduced, which could partially explain the increased fatigue resistance seen following endurance training.