Related Experiment Videos
Sustained maximal ventilation after endurance exercise in athletes.
J D Anholm1, J Stray-Gundersen, M Ramanathan
1Pauline and Adolph Weinberger Laboratory for Cardiopulmonary Research, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas 75235.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Elite athletes show no decline in respiratory muscle function after exhaustive exercise. Their maximal sustained ventilation remains strong immediately post-intense endurance activity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Impaired respiratory muscle function post-exercise is documented in non-athletes.
- The impact of exhaustive exercise on respiratory function in elite athletes is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maximal sustained ventilation (MSV) performance in elite cross-country skiers immediately after exhaustive endurance exercise.
- To determine if intense exercise impairs respiratory muscle function in highly trained athletes.
Main Methods:
- Eight elite cross-country skiers completed a 4-min MSV test before and after a maximal oxygen consumption exercise bout.
- Subjects received real-time visual feedback of ventilation (VE) to maximize effort during the MSV test.
- Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was assessed to establish a performance benchmark.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in MSV performance before (86% of MVV) and after (90% of MVV) exhaustive exercise.
- Total expired gas volume during the 4-min MSV test was comparable pre- and post-exercise.
- Exhaustive exercise did not negatively impact the athletes' ability to perform the MSV test.
Conclusions:
- Elite cross-country skiers maintain maximal sustained ventilation capacity immediately following exhaustive endurance exercise.
- Highly trained athletes exhibit robust respiratory muscle function resistant to acute impairment from intense exercise.