estimation of anaerobic capacity

237 Pages·2016·7.58 MB·English

by  Daniel Muniz

https://research.stmarys.ac.uk/
TITLE
Estimation of anaerobic capacity: practical limitations and physiological assumptions
AUTHOR
Muniz-Pumares, Daniel
DATE DEPOSITED
5 May 2016
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https://research.stmarys.ac.uk/id/eprint/1063/
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ESTIMATION OF ANAEROBIC CAPACITY:
PRACTICAL LIMITATIONS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of
Surrey for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Daniel Muniz-Pumares

School of Sport, Health and Applied Science
St Mary’s University
Twickenham, UK
Acknowledgements

Several people deserve a heartfelt thank you for their help and support throughout the elaboration of
this thesis. Thanks to the School of Sport, Health, and Applied Science of St Mary’s University for
funding this research project. To Mark Glaister and Charlie Pedlar for their support throughout this PhD
thesis. Mark, thank you for your endless corrections, comments, and time to go through all my
questions. Charlie, thank you for always bringing a different point of view to this thesis. It is difficult to
express how much I’ve learnt in this process. Also, thanks to Richard Godfrey for his input throughout
the elaboration of this PhD thesis.
To my colleagues at St Mary’s University for their support and advice. Specifically, thank to the exercise
physiologists that helped me to throughout this process: Stephen, JP, Jess, Owen, Rich Burden; thank
you. The technical services of the School also deserve a mention. Colin, Paul, Ian, thank you for your
patience with me! I’m yet to ask something that it cannot be done.
I have been fortunate to share the ups and downs of a PhD with a great group of students. Alex, Griff,
Adam, Lorraine, Emily, Ollie, Leta, Lizzy, Derbs… To all of you, thank you so much.
To all the cyclists and triathletes that willingly volunteered to take part in the experimental studies of this
PhD, thank you for your time and effort.
Finally, and most importantly, to my family for unconditional support in whatever decision I’ve made.
And to Lidia, for your understanding and incredible support.

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Abstract
High-intensity exercise necessitates simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic ATP resynthesis. Unfortunately,
direct quantification of the finite amount of energy derived from the anaerobic energy system (i.e.
anaerobic capacity; AnC) is challenging and not practical on a daily basis. Instead, there are two
approaches to estimate AnC: the accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD) and the curvature constant of the
power-duration relationship (W’), both of which rely on several assumptions. First, determination of AOD
requires an estimation of supramaximal oxygen demand, typically from the projection of the oxygen uptake
(V̇ O )-power output relationship determined from various submaximal exercise intensites assuming a
2
linear relationship. From a practical perspective, AOD is a time-consuming protocol. Secondly, W’ is
considered to represent anaerobic work capacity and correlates with AOD. Moreover, both AOD and W’
are assumed to remain constant irrespective of pacing strategies and/or changes in oxygen availability.
The overarching aim of this PhD was to investigate the assumptions and practical limitations surrounding
AOD and W’ as tests to estimate AnC. Study 1 investigated the linearity of the V̇ O -power output
2
relationship during exercise below vs. above the lactate threshold. Ten cyclists completed consecutive 3
min bouts of exercise below and above the lactate threshold. The V̇ O -power output relationship remained
2
constant up to intensities of ~95% maximal V̇ O (V̇ O ). Study 2 determined whether AOD remains
2 2max
constant during exercise to exhaustion at any supramaximal intensity. Twenty-one cyclists performed a
constant work-rate (CWR) exercise bout to exhaustion at 105, 112.5, 120 and 127.5% V̇ O . Compared
2max
to 112.5% V̇ O , AOD was lower at 105 and 127% V̇ O , but there were no differences between 112.5
2max 2max
and 120% V̇ O . At 112.5% V̇ O , the coefficient of variation of AOD was 8.7%. Study 3 determined
2max 2max
whether AOD can be calculated in a single-day trial. Twenty cyclists performed CWR tests at 112.5%
V̇ O 25 min after submaximal and maximal tests (single-day AOD), and after no prior exercise
2max
(traditional AOD). Single-day AOD was reduced by 17% compared to traditional AOD, suggesting that a
single-day approach is untenable. Study 4 established the relationship between AOD and W’, and whether
CWR and 3-min all-out (3AO) tests affected i) the strength of the relationship and ii) the magnitude of AOD
and W’. Both measures were correlated during CWR (r = 0.654) and 3AO (r = 0.664) tests. However, AOD
was greater in CWR tests, whereas W’ was greater in 3AO tests. Study 5 determined whether AOD and
W’ were affected by hypoxia or hyperoxia during CWR and 3AO tests. AOD was determined during CWR
and 3AO tests in 10 cyclists in hypoxia (15% oxygen), normoxia (21% oxygen) and hyperoxia (35%
oxygen). There was no effect of environmental conditions on AOD, but CWR tests resulted in higher AOD
than 3-min all-out tests. In contrast, there was no effect of environmental condition or pacing on W’. In
conclusion, using 3 min stages to construct the V̇ O -power output relationship, the AOD reaches its
2
maximum during a CWR test to exhaustion at 112.5-120% V̇ O , with a test-retest coefficient of variation
2max
of 8.7%. However, the magnitude of AOD is not consistent, as 3AO tests resulted in a reduced AOD.
Moreover, using this protocol, two trials are needed to determine AOD. The magnitude of W’ provides an
indication of AnC, given that AOD and W’ were strongly correlated. W’ is a solid construct, and remains
constant irrespective of pacing and changes in oxygen availability. Although W’ is likely determined by
other factors besides AnC, it appears to be a favourable option to estimate anaerobic energy production.
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List of Publications
Papers
 Muniz-Pumares, D.; Godfrey, R., Pedlar, C., & Glaister, M. (2015). The effect of the oxygen
uptake-power output relationship on the prediction of supramaximal oxygen demands. J Sports
Med Phys Fitness. In Press
 Muniz-Pumares, D.; Godfrey, R., Pedlar, C., & Glaister, M. Accumulated oxygen deficit during
exercise to exhaustion determined at different supramaximal work-rates. Int J Sports Physiol
Perform. (Paper accepted pending minor corrections).

Conference proceedings
 Muniz-Pumares, D; Godfrey, R; Pedlar, C; Glaister, M. (2015). Comparison between the
accumulated oxygen deficit and anaerobic work capacity during constant-load and all-out tests.
American College of Sports Medicine, San Diego, California. (Poster presentation).
 Muniz-Pumares, D; Godfrey, R; Pedlar, C; Glaister, M. (2014). Determination of the
accumulated oxygen deficit in a single trial. BASES conference, St George’s Park, 2014.
(Poster presentation).
 Muniz-Pumares, D; Godfrey, R; Pedlar, C; Glaister, M. (2014). The variability of the
accumulated oxygen deficit during supramaximal square-wave exercise to exhaustion. BASES
conference, St George’s Park. (Oral presentation).
 Muniz-Pumares, D; Godfrey, R; Pedlar, C; Glaister, M. (2013). The relationship between
oxygen uptake and work rate below and above lactate threshold during familiar and unfamiliar
exercise. V International Sport Science and Sport Medicine Conference. Newcastle. (Poster
presentation).

Further research publications
 Glaister, M., Pattison JR, Muniz-Pumares D, Patterson SD, Foley P. (2015). Effects of dietary
nitrate, caffeine, and their combination on 20 km cycling time-trial performance. J Strength
Cond Res, 29, 165-74.
 Glaister M; Muniz-Pumares D; Patterson SD; Foley P; McInnes G. (2015). Caffeine
supplementation and peak anaerobic power output. Eur J Sport Sci, 15, 400-6.
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Contents

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. ii
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. iii
List of Publications .............................................................................................................................. iv
List of tables, figures, and abbreviations ........................................................................................... x
List of figures ..................................................................................................................... x
List of tables .................................................................................................................... xiii
List of abbreviations ......................................................................................................... xiv
Chapter 1: Literature Review ............................................................................................................. 16
1.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 17
1.2. Energy production during exercise ........................................................................ 18
1.2.1. Anaerobic energy production ......................................................................... 18
1.2.2. Oxidative phosphorylation .............................................................................. 24
1.3. Aerobic and anaerobic interaction and their relative contribution to total energy
production during a single bout to exhaustion .................................................................. 25
1.4. Determinants of anaerobic capacity ...................................................................... 27
1.4.1. Mode of exercise ........................................................................................... 27

1.4.2. Sex ................................................................................................................ 28
1.4.3. Age ................................................................................................................ 28
1.4.4. Body composition .......................................................................................... 32
1.4.5. Genetics ........................................................................................................ 33
1.4.6. Environmental factors .................................................................................... 34
1.4.7. Training and training status ............................................................................ 37
1.4.8. Summary ....................................................................................................... 38
1.5. Quantification of anaerobic capacity ..................................................................... 38
1.5.1. Quantification of muscle metabolites .............................................................. 39
1.5.2. Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption .................................................... 40
1.5.3. Peak blood lactate concentration ................................................................... 42
1.5.4. The Wingate anaerobic test ........................................................................... 43
1.5.5. Maximal anaerobic running test ..................................................................... 44
1.5.6. Alternative approaches .................................................................................. 45
1.5.7. Summary ....................................................................................................... 46
1.6. The curvature constant of the power output-duration relationship ......................... 46
1.6.1. Definition ........................................................................................................ 46
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1.6.2. Determination of critical power and W’ ........................................................... 47
1.6.3. The components of the power output-duration relationship ............................ 55
1.6.4. Assumptions of the power output-duration relationship model ....................... 60
1.6.5. Summary ....................................................................................................... 65
1.7. The maximal accumulated oxygen deficit .............................................................. 66
1.7.1. Definition ........................................................................................................ 66
1.7.2. Determination of the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit ............................. 67
1.7.3. Validity and reliability of maximal accumulated oxygen deficit ........................ 86
1.7.4. Limitations ..................................................................................................... 89
1.7.5. Summary ....................................................................................................... 93
1.8. Summary of the literature review ........................................................................... 94
1.9. Aims ..................................................................................................................... 95
1.9.1. General aim ................................................................................................... 95
1.9.2. Specific aims.................................................................................................. 95
Chapter 2: General methods .............................................................................................................. 96
2.1. Ethical approval, consent forms and health and safety considerations .................. 97
2.2. Participants ........................................................................................................... 97
2.3. Laboratory conditions ............................................................................................ 97

2.4. Measurements ...................................................................................................... 98
2.4.1. Gas exchange ................................................................................................ 98
2.4.2. Exercise ergometer ........................................................................................ 98
2.4.3. Heart rate ....................................................................................................... 99
2.4.4. Blood lactate concentration ............................................................................ 99
2.4.5. Anthropometric assessment ......................................................................... 101
Chapter 3: The effect of the oxygen uptake-power output relationship on the prediction of
supramaximal oxygen demands ..................................................................................................... 102
3.1. Abstract .............................................................................................................. 103
3.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 103
3.3. Methods .............................................................................................................. 105
3.3.1. Participants .................................................................................................. 105
3.3.2. Experimental overview ................................................................................. 105
3.3.3. Procedures .................................................................................................. 106
3.3.4. Statistical analyses ...................................................................................... 107
3.4. Results ................................................................................................................ 107
3.4.1. Linear relationship between V̇ O -power output ............................................ 108
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3.4.2. Test-retest reliability ..................................................................................... 108
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3.5. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 111
3.5.1. Practical Applications ................................................................................... 113
3.5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 113
Chapter 4: Accumulated oxygen deficit during exercise to exhaustion determined at different
supramaximal work-rates ................................................................................................................. 114
4.1. Abstract .............................................................................................................. 115
4.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 115
4.3. Methods .............................................................................................................. 117
4.3.1. Participants .................................................................................................. 117
4.3.2. Experimental overview ................................................................................. 117
4.3.3. Procedures .................................................................................................. 117
4.3.4. Measurements ............................................................................................. 118
4.3.5. Statistical Analysis ....................................................................................... 119
4.4. Results ................................................................................................................ 120
4.4.1. Preliminary trials .......................................................................................... 120
4.4.2. Experimental trials ....................................................................................... 120
4.4.3. Test-retest reliability ..................................................................................... 121
4.4.4. Relationship between accumulated oxygen deficit, time to exhaustion and
blood lactate .............................................................................................................. 121
4.5. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 124
4.5.1. Practical Applications ................................................................................... 126
4.5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 126
Chapter 5. The recovery of anaerobic capacity: Practical implications for the maximal
accumulated oxygen deficit ............................................................................................................. 127
5.1. Abstract .............................................................................................................. 128
5.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 128
5.3. Methods .............................................................................................................. 130
5.3.1. Participants .................................................................................................. 130
5.3.2. Experimental overview ................................................................................. 130
5.3.3. Procedures .................................................................................................. 131
5.3.4. Data analyses .............................................................................................. 132
5.4. Results ................................................................................................................ 133
5.4.1. Preliminary testing ....................................................................................... 133
5.4.2. Traditional vs. single trial ............................................................................. 133
5.5. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 135
5.5.1. Practical applications ................................................................................... 137
5.5.2. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 137
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Chapter 6. Accumulated oxygen deficit and W’ during all-out and constant intensity exercise
............................................................................................................................................................ 139
6.1. Abstract .............................................................................................................. 140
6.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 140
6.3. Methods .............................................................................................................. 142
6.3.1. Participants .................................................................................................. 142
6.3.2. Equipment ................................................................................................... 142
6.3.3. Procedures .................................................................................................. 143
6.3.4. Statistical analyses ...................................................................................... 145
6.4. Results ................................................................................................................ 146
6.4.1. Preliminary tests .......................................................................................... 146
6.4.2. Constant-load to exhaustion and 3-min all-out tests ..................................... 147
6.4.3. Estimation of anaerobic capacity .................................................................. 147
6.5. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 150
6.5.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 152
Chapter 7. Accumulated oxygen deficit and W’ during constant-load and all-out exercise in
hypoxia and hyperoxia ..................................................................................................................... 153
7.1. Abstract .............................................................................................................. 154
7.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 154

7.3. Methods .............................................................................................................. 157
7.3.1. Participants .................................................................................................. 157
7.3.2. Experimental overview ................................................................................. 157
7.3.3. Equipment and measurements .................................................................... 157
7.3.4. Procedures .................................................................................................. 160
7.3.5. Statistical analysis ....................................................................................... 161
7.4. Results ................................................................................................................ 162
7.4.1. Step test and ramp tests to exhaustion ........................................................ 162
7.4.2. Constant work-rate and 3-min all-out tests ................................................... 164
7.4.3. Near-infrared spectroscopy .......................................................................... 167
7.4.4. Correlation between relevant variables ........................................................ 167
7.5. Discussion .......................................................................................................... 169
7.5.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 173
Chapter 8: General discussion and conclusions........................................................................... 174
8.1. Anaerobic capacity estimated from the accumulated oxygen deficit .................... 175
8.2. Anaerobic capacity estimated as W’ ................................................................... 179
8.3. Limitations .......................................................................................................... 181
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8.4. Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 182
8.5. Further Research ................................................................................................ 183
Reference list ..................................................................................................................................... 186
Appendices ........................................................................................................................................ 224
Appendix 1. Example of ethics forms (Chapter 5). ......................................................... 225
Appendix 2. Physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q)..................................... 231
Appendix 3. Example of consent forms (Chapter 9). ...................................................... 232
Appendix 4. Data collection sheet for study 5. ............................................................... 233
Appendix 5. Poster presented at the International Sport Science and Sport Medicine
Conference. Newcastle, August 2012. .......................................................................... 234
Appendix 5. Poster presented at the British Association of Sport Sciences conference. St
George’s Park, November 2014. ................................................................................... 235
Appendix 6. Poster presented at American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
San Diego (CA), May 2015. ........................................................................................... 236

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