Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2019
Central and peripheral nervous system activity and muscle oxygenation in athletes during repeated-sprint exercise in
Charles W C Simpson1,2, Julia Walter3, Steven P Gieseg2,4
1Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Aim:
To investigate central and peripheral nervous system activity and muscle oxygenation in athletes during repeated-sprint exercise in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia.
Methods:
The effects on vastus lateralis muscle strength in a cross-over study were examined in 18 athletes (13 males, 5 females) completing 10 × 6-s cycle sprints. Immediately after and again 5 minutes post-exercise, electromyography (EMG), heart rate variability, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), muscle oxygenation, peak power output, and arterial oxygen saturation were compared to 2 baseline sets named ("Baseline" and "Pre").
Results:
Post-exercise MVC was significantly lower (6.7 ± 10.0%) than Baseline, but root-mean-square amplitude during hypoxia (all-times) was significantly lower than normoxia (0.38 ± 0.19 vs 0.41 ± 0.17 mV). Comparative frequency analysis of the percentage change in pre- to post-exercise EMG area, at low 1-29 hz (type-1 fibre) and high 75-100 hz (type-2 fibre) areas, revealed a significant reduction in type-1 fibre activity relative to type-2, by 20-30% across time and by 10% in type-1 activity between conditions.
Conclusion:
Exercise in hypoxia appeared to cause a temporary increase in central sympathetic nervous system activity and greater recruitment of type-2 muscle fibres, with accompanying reduction in type-1. Acute hypoxia may stimulate type-2 fibre conditioning.
More Related Videos
09:04Skeletal Muscle Neurovascular Coupling, Oxidative Capacity, and Microvascular Function with 'One Stop Shop' Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2018
09:33Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
Published on: December 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Physiological Control of Respiration
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...