Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(5): 351-356
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820938
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Glycogen Depletion on the Oxygen Uptake Slow Component in Humans

J. Bouckaert1 , A. M. Jones2 , K. Koppo1
  • 1Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
  • 2Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: October 16, 2003

Publication Date:
15 June 2004 (online)

Also available at
   Buy Article Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that the V·O2 slow component is related to the recruitment of type II muscle fibres. We therefore hypothesised that an exercise and dietary regimen designed to deplete type I muscle fibres of glycogen would result in a greater contribution of type II muscle fibres to the exercise power output and therefore a larger amplitude of the V·O2 slow component. Eight male subjects took part in this study. On day 1, the subjects reported to the laboratory at 8 a.m., and completed a 9 min constant-load cycling test at a work rate equivalent to 85 % V·O2 peak. On day 2 at 12 p.m., the subjects were fed a 4200 kJ meal (60 % protein, 40 % fat); at 6 p.m. they completed a 2 h cycling test at 60 % V·O2 peak. On day 3 at 8 a.m., the subjects performed an exercise test identical to that of day 1. Metabolic and respiratory measurements indicated that our experimental design was effective in reducing the muscle glycogen content. V·O2 was significantly higher (by approximately 140 ml · min-1) throughout exercise following glycogen depletion but no appreciable changes in V·O2 kinetics were found: neither the time constant of the primary response (from 35.4 ± 2.5 to 33.2 ± 4.4 s) nor the amplitude of the slow component (from 404 ± 95 to 376 ± 81 ml · min-1) was significantly altered. Therefore, we suggest that the increased V·O2 throughout exercise and the unaltered V·O2 slow component following glycogen depletion might be explained by a shift towards a greater reliance on fat metabolism in type I muscle fibres with no appreciable change in fibre type recruitment patterns.

Key words

V·O2 kinetics - high-intensity exercise - fibre type recruitment

References

  • 1 Barstow T J, Molé P A. Linear and nonlinear characteristics of oxygen uptake kinetics during heavy exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  71 2099-2106
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Barstow T J, Casaburi R, Wasserman K. O2 uptake kinetics and the O2 deficit as related to exercise intensity and blood lactate.  J Appl Physiol. 1993;  75 755-762
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Barstow T J, Jones A M, Nguyen P H, Casaburi R. Influence of muscle fibre type and pedal frequency on oxygen uptake kinetics of heavy exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1996;  81 1642-1650
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Blom P CS, Vollestad N K, Costill D L. Factors affecting changes in muscle glycogen concentration during and after prolonged exercise.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1986;  128 67-74
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Borg G AV. Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress.  Scand J Rehab Med. 1970;  2 92-98
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Borrani F, Candau R, Millet G Y, Perrey S, Fuchslocher J, Rouillon J D. Is the V·O2 slow component dependent on progressive recruitment of fast-twitch fibres in trained runners?.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  90 2212-2220
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Brooks G A. Importance of the ‘crossover’ concept in exercise metabolism.  Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1997;  24 889-895
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Burnley M, Doust J H, Ball D, Jones A M. Effects of prior heavy exercise on V·O2 kinetics during heavy exercise are related to changes in muscle activity.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  93 167-174
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Crow M T, Kushmerick M J. Chemical energetics of slow- and fast-twitch muscles of the mouse.  J Gen Physiol. 1982;  79 147-166
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Gaesser G A, Poole D C. The slow component of oxygen uptake kinetics in humans.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1996;  24 35-71
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Gollnick P D, Armstrong R B, Saubert IV C W, Sembrowich W L, Shepherd R E, Saltin B. Glycogen depletion patterns in human skeletal muscle fibers during prolonged work.  Pflügers Arch. 1973;  344 1-12
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Gollnick P D, Piehl K, Saltin B. Selective glycogen depletion pattern in human muscle fibres after exercise of varying intensity and at varying pedalling rates.  J Physiol. 1974;  241 45-57
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Jacobs I, Kaiser P, Tesch P. Muscle strength and fatigue after selective glycogen depletion in human skeletal muscle fibers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1981;  46 47-53
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Kushmerick M J, Meyer R A, Brown T R. Regulation of oxygen consumption in fast- and slow-twitch muscle.  Am J Physiol. 1992;  263 598-606
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Maehlum S, Hermansen L. Muscle glycogen concentration during recovery after prolonged severe exercise in fasting subjects.  Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1978;  38 557-560
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Paterson D H, Whipp B J. Asymmetries of oxygen uptake transients at the on- and offset of heavy exercise in humans.  J Physiol. 1991;  443 575-586
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Poole D C, Barstow T J, Gaesser G A, Willis W T, Whipp B J. V·O2 slow component: physiological and functional significance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 1354-1358
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Romijn J A, Coyle E F, Sidossis L S, Zhang X J, Wolfe R R. Relationship between fatty acid delivery and fatty acid oxidation during strenuous exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1995;  79 1939-1945
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Rossiter H B, Ward S A, Kowalchuk J M, Howe F A, Griffiths J R, Whipp B J. Effects of prior exercise on oxygen uptake and phosphocreatine kinetics during high-intensity knee-extension exercise in humans.  J Physiol. 2001;  537 291-303
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Saunders M J, Evans E M, Arngrimsson S A, Allison J D, Warren G L, Cureton K J. Muscle activation and the slow component rise in oxygen uptake during cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 2040-2045
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Scheuermann B W, Hoelting B D, Noble M L, Barstow T J. The slow component of O2 uptake is not accompanied by changes in muscle EMG during repeated bouts of heavy exercise in humans.  J Physiol. 2001;  531 245-256
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Shinohara M, Moritani T. Increase in neuromuscular activity and oxygen uptake during heavy exercise.  Ann Physiol Anthropol. 1992;  11 257-262
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Vollestad N K, Blom P CS. Effect of varying exercise intensity on glycogen depletion in human muscle fibers.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1985;  125 395-405
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Whipp B J. The slow component of O2 uptake kinetics during heavy exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 1319-1326
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Willis W T, Jackman M R. Mitochondrial function during heavy exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 1347-1354
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Zoladz J A, Rademaker A CHJ, Sargeant A J. Non-linear relationship between O2 uptake and power output at high intensities of exercise in humans.  J Physiol. 1995;  488 211-217
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

K. Koppo

Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University

Watersportlaan 2

9000 Ghent

Belgium

Phone: + 3292646297

Fax: + 32 92 64 64 84

Email: katrien.koppo@rug.ac.be

      >