Effect of prior exercise on short-duration cycling

INTRODUCTION:  Previous exercise has important implications in the preparation of athletes prior to competitions.

OBJECTIVE:  To analyze the effect of previous heavy exercise on peak torque (P_TORQUE) measured after severe exercise.

METHODS:  Fourteen active males (age: 26 ± 4 years, VO_2max: 44 ± 6 mLO₂.min^-1.kg^-1) participated in this study and performed seven tests on different days: a) progressive ramp test for the determination of VO_2max and peak power; b) four constant workload tests to determine critical power, anaerobic work capacity and power corresponding to a time to exhaustion of 3 min (P_TLim3min), and; c) two constant workload tests of 2 min at P_TLim3min followed by a 10-s all-out sprint to determine P_TORQUE. This protocol was performed with (PE) and without (CON) a previous heavy exercise.

RESULTS:  The P_TORQUE was significantly higher after the PE (101 ± 30 Nm) in relation to the CON condition (95 ± 23 Nm). The mean response time (MRT) of VO₂ was significantly lower after PE (24 ± 7 s) in relation to the CON condition (32 ± 10 s). The VO₂ primary amplitude increased significantly after PE (2598 ± 421 mLO₂.min^-1) in relation to the CON condition (2184 ± 246 mLO₂.min^-1). The O₂ deficit was significantly lower after PE (980 ± 432 mLO₂) in relation to the CON condition (1273 ± 398 mLO₂). There was significant correlation between the variation of O₂ deficit with that of P_TORQUE (r = 0.53) and the variation of MRT with that of P_TORQUE (r = 0.53).

CONCLUSION:  It can be concluded that the P_TORQUE is higher after short-duration aerobic exercise preceded by heavy exercise. Therefore, this strategy may be interesting as preparation for some sport competitions.

athletic performance; oxygen consumption; torque