29 sept. 2015

Triathlon and EPOC

We received reports on VO2 at rest from our athletes.  The testing was done 16 hours after the last regular practice.  The values were high, 404 ml/ min in one case, and 6.49 ml/kg/min in another case.  The first thing that came to my mind was to call Volkswagen for an explanation on the machine now that we know about the fraud with the software used to measure gases.  Of course, I did not call, but I still think that it could be related to the machine used to measure the VO2 at rest (red flag).  The athletes were training regularly, they were growing up accordingly because they were adolescents.  Their laboratory data was within normal limits, and they did not have illnesses or problems living at home.  Our second question after the machines measuring the gases, it was whether this is a case of EPOC (post-exercise oxygen consumption).  We reviewed the literature on EPOC.

The literature deals mainly with the effect and control of EPOC peripherally instead of centrally:
The direction of this research narrative on post-exercise recovery differs to the increasing emphasis on the complex interaction between both central and peripheral factors regulating exercise intensity during exercise performance. Given the role of the central nervous system (CNS) in motor-unit recruitment during exercise, it too may have an integral role in post-exercise recovery. Indeed, this hypothesis is indirectly supported by an apparent disconnect in time-course changes in physiological and biochemical markers resultant from exercise and the ensuing recovery of exercise performance.
Is recovery driven by central or peripheral factors? A role for the brain in recovery following intermittent-sprint exercise

EXCESS POST-EXERCISE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND SUBSTRATE UTILIZATION IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

At the end, we found a Kenyan study that deals with respiratory parameters in elite runners:
 Table 4.10: Resting values for respiratory variables (Mean ± SD) summarized by gender and combined/total; male (n = 10), female (n = 4), total (n = 14).
Respiratory Variable
Gender                                    Male            Female            Total
Resting tidal volume [L]          .55±.14    .38±.11         .50±.15
Resting breathing frequency
[br/min]                          21.64±4.40     20.78±2.94   21.39±3.94
Resting minute ventilation [L]
                                         8.57±1.61        5.88±1.64   7.80±2.00
Resting volume of oxygen consumption
[L/min]                              .29±.07              .18±.07         .26±.08
Resting volume of carbon dioxide
produced [L/min]               .25±.06            .15±.05         .22±.07
Resting respiratory exchange ratio
                                           .86±.08            .84±.04       .86±.066
Rate of oxygen consumption (relative to body
weight) at rest [ml/kg/min]
                                           5.30±1.10        3.84±1.41   4.89±1.33
The Kenyans’ values are more in accordance with our athletes.  Our athletes are younger but the values are higher compared to the Kenyan’s values.  Is the V02 of any value to measure training level?  Theoretically it could be a marker but needs to be standardized, what we see in well trained athletes is what counts and our findings are in that direction.  Is our empirical research enough to say that VO2 resting level is a good marker for quality of training?  It is enough for us that deal with performance.
Our findings are not related to EPOC but to a good quality training.  We are hoping to come up with an answer from Volkswagen to see how good it is VO2 as a marker for quality of training.  But we can say that taking into consideration our five athletes tested it is a good marker:
19-year-old                       male         VO2:  404          6.21 ml/kg/min
18-year-old                       male         VO2:  283          4.16 ml/kg/min
17-year-old                       male         VO2:  387          5.73 ml/kg/min
15-year-old                       female      VO2:  282          5.22 ml/kg/min
11-year-old                        female      VO2:  237          6.49 ml/kg/min

Our athletes have learned the same technique, so the VO2 is taken when they practice the same and use the same muscles.  Performance in triathlon is according to their resting VO2 shown above.  The 11-year-old is unique for her age; she can train with the 14-year-old girls and leads the swimming lane.

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