Brain oxygenation declines in elite Kenyan runners during a maximal interval training session

The purpose of this study was to characterise the cerebral oxygenation (Cox) response during a high-intensity interval training session in Kenyan runners, and to examine any relationship with running performance.

15 Kenyan runners completed a 5-km time trial (TT) and a Fatigue Training Test on a treadmill (repeated running bouts of 1-km at a pace 5% faster than their mean 5-km TT pace with a 30-s recovery until exhaustion). Changes in Cox were monitored via near-infrared spectroscopy through concentration changes in oxy- and deoxy-haemoglobin (Δ[O₂Hb] and Δ[HHb]), tissue oxygenation index (TOI), and total hemoglobin index (nTHI).

The number of 1-km repetitions achieved by the participants was 5.5 ± 1.2 repetitions at a mean pace of 20.5 ± 0.7 km h^-1. Δ[O₂Hb] measured at the end of each running repetition declined progressively over the course of the trial (p = 0.01, ES = 4.59). Δ[HHb] increased during each running bout until the end of the Fatigue Training Test (p < 0.001; ES = 6.0). TOI decreased significantly from the beginning of the test (p = 0.013, ES = 1.83), whereas nTHI remained stable (ES = 0.08). The Cox decline in the Fatigue Training Test was negatively correlated with the speed at which the test was completed (p = 0.017; r = -0.61), suggesting that the best performers were able to defend their Cox better than those of lower running ability.

In conclusion, this study suggests that elite Kenyan runners cannot defend cerebral oxygenation when forced to exercise to their physiological limits. This emphasises the critical importance of pacing in their racing success.