The Improvement in Exercise Performance during Reduced Muscle Mass Exercise is Associated with an Increase in Femoral Blood Flow in Older and Younger Endurance-Trained Athletes.

This study investigated whether the improved performance observed with maximal self-paced single-leg (SL), compared with double-leg (DL) cycling, is associated with enhanced femoral blood flow and/or altered tissue oxygenation. The hyperaemic response to exercise was assessed in younger and older athletes. Power output was measured in 12 older (65 ± 4 y) and 12 younger (35 ± 5 y) endurance-trained individuals performing 2 x 3 min maximal self-paced exercise using SL and DL cycling.

Single- Versus Double-Leg Cycling: Small Muscle Mass Exercise Improves Exercise Capacity to a Greater Extent in Older Compared With Younger Population.

Manipulating the amount of muscle mass engaged during exercise can noninvasively inform the contribution of central cardiovascular and peripheral vascular-oxidative functions to endurance performance. To better understand the factors contributing to exercise limitation in older and younger individuals, exercise performance was assessed during single-leg and double-leg cycling. 16 older (67 ± 5 years) and 14 younger (35 ± 5 years) individuals performed a maximal exercise using single-leg and double-leg cycling.

Breathing a low-density gas reduces respiratory muscle force development and marginally improves exercise performance in master athletes.

Introduction: We tested the hypothesis that breathing heliox, to attenuate the mechanical constraints accompanying the decline in pulmonary function with aging, improves exercise performance.

Methods: Fourteen endurance-trained older men (67.9 ± 5.

Physiological and Mechanical Indices Serving the New Cross-Country Olympic Mountain Bike Performance.

Objectives: To identify relevant physiological, mechanical, and strength indices to improve the evaluation of elite mountain bike riders competing in the current Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) format.

Methods: Considering the evolution of the XCO race format over the last decade, the present testing protocol adopted a battery of complementary laboratory cycling tests: a maximal aerobic consumption, a force-velocity test, and a multi-short-sprint test. A group of 33 elite-level XCO riders completed the entire testing protocol and at least 5 international competitions.

Effects of Carbohydrate, Caffeine, and Guarana on Cognitive Performance, Perceived Exertion, and Shooting Performance in High-Level Athletes.

To investigate the effect of ingesting carbohydrate (CHO), caffeine  (CAF), and a guarana complex (GUAc) during a running exercise on cognitive performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and shooting performance in high-level modern pentathlon athletes. A total of 10 athletes completed 4 counterbalanced sessions within a 2-wk period, corresponding to ingestions of CHO (30 g), GUAc (300 mg), CAF (200 mg), or placebo. The exercise involved a 40-min run on a treadmill at a steady speed, previously determined as a "somewhat hard" exercise (RPE 13).

Understanding the Physiological Requirements of the Mountain Bike Cross-Country Olympic Race Format.

To evaluate the physiological requirements imposed by the current mountain biking Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) format. Sixteen Cross-Country cyclists competing at national or international level participated in this study. All participants completed a simulated and a real official race on a cycling-accredited race track.

The long and winding road: Effects of exercise intensity and type upon sustained attention.

Aerobic exercise enhances the ability to sustain attention (peaking at moderate intensities) by stimulating noradrenergic activity, which affects the fronto-parietal attention network. Prior exercise studies examining attention have focused on the influence of exercise intensity, yet few studies have examined the influence of the type of exercise protocol administered. Here, we propose that sustained attention is greater during (a) moderate compared to low intensity exercise, and (b) moderate intensity exercise administered at a varied-load compared to a constant-load but the same overall intensity.

Short Trail Running Race: Beyond the Classic Model for Endurance Running Performance.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the extent to which the classical physiological variables of endurance running performance (maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), %V˙O2max at ventilatory threshold (VT), and running economy (RE)) but also muscle strength factors contribute to short trail running (TR) performance.

Methods: A homogeneous group of nine highly trained trail runners performed an official TR race (27 km) and laboratory-based sessions to determine V˙O2max, %V˙O2max at VT, level RE (RE0%) and RE on a +10% slope, maximal voluntary concentric and eccentric knee extension torques, local endurance assessed by a fatigue index (FI), and a time to exhaustion at 87.5% of the velocity associated with V˙O2max.

Effects of High- Versus Moderate-Intensity Training on Neuroplasticity and Functional Recovery After Focal Ischemia.

Background And Purpose: This study was designed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) and moderate-intensity aerobic training (MOD) on functional recovery and cerebral plasticity during the first 2 weeks after cerebral ischemia.

Methods: Rats were randomized as follows: control (n=15), SHAM (n=9), middle cerebral artery occlusion (n=13), middle cerebral artery occlusion at day 1 (n=7), MOD (n=13), and HIT (n=13). Incremental tests were performed at day 1 (D1) and 14 (D14) to identify the running speed associated with the lactate threshold () and the maximal speed ().

Optimizing Heat Acclimation for Endurance Athletes: High- Versus Low-Intensity Training.

Purpose: To determine the effect of high- versus low-intensity training in the heat and ensuing taper period in the heat on endurance performance.

Methods: In total, 19 well-trained triathletes undertook 5 days of normal training and a 1-wk taper including either low- (heat acclimation [HA-L], n = 10) or high-intensity (HA-H, n = 9) training sessions in the heat (30°C, 50% relative humidity). A control group (n = 10) reproduced their usual training in thermoneutral conditions.

Cognitive Performance Enhancement Induced by Caffeine, Carbohydrate and Guarana Mouth Rinsing during Submaximal Exercise.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of serial mouth rinsing (MR) with nutritional supplements on cognitive performance (i.e., cognitive control and time perception) during a 40-min submaximal exercise.

The differential effects of prolonged exercise upon executive function and cerebral oxygenation.

The acute-exercise effects upon cognitive functions are varied and dependent upon exercise duration and intensity, and the type of cognitive tasks assessed. The hypofrontality hypothesis assumes that prolonged exercise, at physiologically challenging intensities, is detrimental to executive functions due to cerebral perturbations (indicated by reduced prefrontal activity). The present study aimed to test this hypothesis by measuring oxygenation in prefrontal and motor regions using near-infrared spectroscopy during two executive tasks (flanker task and 2-back task) performed while cycling for 60min at a very low intensity and an intensity above the ventilatory threshold.

Periodization of Carbohydrate Intake: Short-Term Effect on Performance.

Background: "Sleep-low" consists of a sequential periodization of carbohydrate (CHO) availability-low glycogen recovery after "train high" glycogen-depleting interval training, followed by an overnight-fast and light intensity training ("train low") the following day. This strategy leads to an upregulation of several exercise-responsive signaling proteins, but the chronic effect on performance has received less attention. We investigated the effects of short-term exposure to this strategy on endurance performance.

Saving mental effort to maintain physical effort: a shift of activity within the prefrontal cortex in anticipation of prolonged exercise.

Executive functioning and attention require mental effort. In line with the resource conservation principle, we hypothesized that mental effort would be saved when individuals expected to exercise for a long period. Twenty-two study participants exercised twice on a cycle ergometer for 10 min at 60% of their maximal aerobic power, with the expectation of exercising for either 10 min or 60 min.

Effect of Carbohydrate Intake on Maximal Power Output and Cognitive Performances.

The present study aimed to assess the beneficial effect of acute carbohydrate (7% CHO) intake on muscular and cognitive performances. Seventeen high levels athletes in explosive sports (fencing and squash) participated in a randomized, double-blind study consisting in series of 6 sprints (5s) with a passive recovery (25s) followed by 15 min submaximal cycling after either maltodextrine and fructose (CHO) or placebo (Pl) intake. Cognitive performances were assessed before and after sprint exercise using a simple reaction time (SRT) task at rest, a visual scanning task (VS) and a Go/Nogo task (GNG) during a submaximal cycling exercise.

The impact of sleeping with reduced glycogen stores on immunity and sleep in triathletes.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of a 3-week dietary periodization on immunity and sleep in triathletes.

Methods: 21 triathletes were divided into two groups with different nutritional guidelines during a 3-week endurance training program including nine twice a day sessions with lowered (SL group) or maintained (CON group) glycogen availability during the overnight recovery period. In addition to performance tests, sleep was monitored every night.

Sprint Acceleration Mechanics in Masters Athletes.

Purpose: The best sprint performances are usually reached between the ages of 20 and 30 yr; however, even in well-trained individuals, performance continues to decrease with age. Although this inevitable decrease in performance has been related to reductions in muscular force, velocity, and power capabilities, these measures have not been assessed in the specific context of sprinting. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical outputs of sprinting acceleration among masters sprinters to better understand the mechanical underpinnings of the age-related decrease in sprint performance.

Effects of Footwear and Fatigue on Running Economy and Biomechanics in Trail Runners.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of footwear and neuromuscular fatigue induced by short distance trail running (TR) on running economy (RE) and biomechanics in well-trained and traditionally shod runners.

Methods: RE, vertical and leg stiffness (Kvert and Kleg), as well as foot strike angle were measured from two 5-min treadmill running stages performed at a speed of 2.5 (with 10% grade, uphill running) and 2.

Running Energy Cost and Spring-Mass Behavior in Young versus Older Trained Athletes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare energy cost of running and lower limb spring-mass characteristics and maximal power between young and older highly trained runners.

Methods: Twenty highly trained male endurance runners were divided into two groups: young and master athletes. Two testing sessions were used to measure and compare (i) lower limb power during three jumping tests (squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and rebound jump (RJ)) as well as stiffness during the RJ test and running trials (using an OptoJump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) placed on the floor for jumping and on each side of the treadmill belt for running), and (ii) the energy cost of running and oxygen consumption (V˙O2) kinetics (using an Oxycon Pro breath-by-breath gas analyzer (Jaeger, Höchberg, Germany)) at three speeds: 10 km·h, self-selected speed, and speed corresponding to 90% of the second ventilatory threshold (VT2).

Compression Garments, Muscle Contractile Function, and Economy in Trail Runners.

Background: Physiological mechanisms behind the use of compression garments (CGs) during off-road running are unknown.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of wearing CGs vs conventional running clothing (CON) on muscle contractile function and running economy before and after short-distance trail running.

Methods: Knee-extensor neuromuscular function and running economy assessed from two 5-min treadmill runs (11 and 14 km/h) were evaluated before and after an 18.

Improvement of Sprint Triathlon Performance in Trained Athletes With Positive Swim Pacing.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 3 swim-pacing profiles on subsequent performance during a sprint-distance triathlon (SDT).

Methods: Nine competitive/trained male triathletes completed 5 experimental sessions including a graded running exhaustion test, a 750-m swim time trial (STT), and 3 SDTs. The swim times of the 3 SDTs were matched, but pacing was manipulated to induce positive (ie, speed gradually decreasing from 92% to 73% STT), negative (ie, speed gradually increasing from 73% to 92% STT), or even pacing (constant 82.

Enhanced Endurance Performance by Periodization of Carbohydrate Intake: "Sleep Low" Strategy.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of a chronic dietary periodization strategy on endurance performance in trained athletes.

Methods: Twenty-one triathletes (V˙O2max: 58.7 ± 5.

Exercise Plus Cognitive Performance Over and Above Exercise Alone in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Epidemiological studies highlight the relevance of regular exercise interventions to enhance or maintain neurocognitive function in subjects with cognitive impairments.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of aerobic exercise associated with cognitive enrichment on cognitive performance in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Method: Eight participants with MCI (72 ± 2 years) were enrolled in a 9-month study that consisted of two 3-months experimental interventions separated by a training cessation period of 3 months.