Anaerobic Contributions Are Influenced by Active Muscle Mass and The Applied Methodology in Well-Controlled Muscle...

The anaerobic metabolism determination is complex and the applied methodologies present limitations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different calculations (MAOD vs. AOD) on the anaerobic contribution using the dynamic knee extension. Twenty-four male were recruited [Mean (SD); age 27 (1) years, body mass 90 (3) kg, height 181 (2) cm]. This study was divided into two independent experiments (EXP_1: one-legged; EXP₂: two-legged). In both experiments, it was performed a graded exercise test to determine maximal power (MP-GXT); 2-4 submaximal efforts (VO₂-intensity relationship); and an exhaustive effort. The theoretical energy demand for the exhaustive effort (TED_ex) was constructed from the submaximal efforts. Therefore, MAOD was assumed as the difference between the TED_ex and the accumulated VO₂ (AVO₂). In contrast, the energy demand for AOD was calculated as the product between VO₂ at the end of exercise and time to exhaustion (TED_aod). Thus, AOD was assumed as the difference between TED_aod and AVO₂. Bayesian paired t-test was used to compare the differences between the applied methods. Also, correlations between the anaerobic indices and performance were verified. In EXP₁, AOD was higher than MAOD [1855 (741) vs. 434 (245); BF₁₀ = 2925; ES = 2.5]. In contrast, in EXP₂, MAOD was higher than AOD [2832 (959) vs. 1636 (549); BF₁₀ = 3.33; ES = 1.4]. Also, AOD was correlated to performance (r = .59; BF₁₀ = 4.38). We concluded that MAOD and AOD are a distinct phenomenon and must be utilized according to the exercise model.