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Brain oxygenation declines in elite Kenyan runners during a maximal interval training session
Jordan Santos-Concejero1,2, F Billaut3, L Grobler4
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Portal de Lasarte 71, 01007, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. jordan.santos@ehu.eus.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|March 22, 2017
Summary
Elite Kenyan runners struggle to maintain cerebral oxygenation during intense exercise. Better performance is linked to a superior ability to defend brain oxygen levels, highlighting the importance of pacing.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Elite Kenyan runners are renowned for their exceptional running performance.
- Understanding the physiological responses during high-intensity exercise is crucial for optimizing training and performance.
- Cerebral oxygenation (Cox) plays a vital role in cognitive function and sustained physical exertion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cerebral oxygenation (Cox) response in elite Kenyan runners during a high-intensity interval training session.
- To investigate the relationship between cerebral oxygenation dynamics and running performance in this population.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen elite Kenyan runners underwent a 5-km time trial and a treadmill-based Fatigue Training Test.
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor changes in cerebral oxygenation, including oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin (Δ[O2Hb] and Δ[HHb]), tissue oxygenation index (TOI), and total hemoglobin index (nTHI).
- The Fatigue Training Test involved repeated 1-km running bouts at a pace 5% faster than their 5-km time trial pace, with short recovery periods until exhaustion.
Main Results:
- Participants completed an average of 5.5 ± 1.2 repetitions at a mean pace of 20.5 ± 0.7 km/h.
- A progressive decline in Δ[O2Hb] was observed throughout the test (p=0.01).
- Δ[HHb] increased significantly during each running bout (p<0.001), and TOI decreased significantly (p=0.013), while nTHI remained stable.
- The decline in Cox during the test was negatively correlated with running speed (r=-0.61, p=0.017), indicating better oxygenation defense in higher-performing runners.
Conclusions:
- Elite Kenyan runners demonstrate a reduced ability to maintain cerebral oxygenation when pushed to their physiological limits.
- The findings underscore the critical role of pacing strategies in the success of elite endurance athletes.
- This study provides novel insights into the neurophysiological demands of high-intensity running in highly trained athletes.
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