Oxygen Delivery and Muscle Deoxygenation during Continuous, Long- and Short-Interval Exercise

Abstract

This study compared the O₂ delivery (a central determinant of VO₂) and muscle deoxygenation (reflecting a peripheral determinant of VO₂) during intense continuous, long-interval, and short-interval exercise protocols. Twelve young men completed the 3 protocols with equal overall effort. Simultaneous and continuous recordings of central hemodynamics, muscle oxygenation/deoxygenation and VO₂ were performed. Peak responses for stroke volume and peripheral resistance did not differ among protocols, whereas peak cardiac output and VO₂ were higher in long-interval vs. continuous and short-interval protocols with inactive rest phases (p<0.05). The average responses for all central parameters were higher in continuous and long-interval vs. short-interval exercise (p<0.05); average VO₂ and exercise-time above 80% VO_2max were also higher in continuous and long-interval vs. short-interval protocol (p<0.05). Muscle de-oxygenation (↑Δdeoxyhemoglobin,↓Δoxyhemoglobin, ↓muscle O₂-saturation), as well as the mismatch of O₂ delivery and utilization (Δdeoxyhemoglobin/VO₂) were remarkably alike among protocols. In conclusion, all 3 protocols resulted in a great activation of central and peripheral determinants of VO₂. When performed with equal overall effort, the intense continuous and interval modalities reveal similarities in muscle O₂-utilization response, but differences in central hemodynamic and VO₂ responses. Intense continuous and long-interval protocols exert a more commanding role on the cardiovascular system and VO₂ response compared to short-interval exercise with inactive rest phases.

Key words

aerobic - endurance - interval exercise - oxygen consumption - muscle oxygenation - hemodynamic

• References

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