Deb, S., Gough, L., Sparks, S.A. and McNaughton, L. 2017. Determinants of curvature constant (W’) of the power duration relationship under normoxia and hypoxia: the effect of pre-exercise alkalosis. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 117 (5), pp. 901-912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3574-4
| Title | Determinants of curvature constant (W’) of the power duration relationship under normoxia and hypoxia: the effect of pre-exercise alkalosis |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Deb, S., Gough, L., Sparks, S.A. and McNaughton, L. |
| Abstract | Purpose This study investigated the effect of induced alkalosis on the curvature constant (W’) of the power-duration relationship under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Methods Eleven trained cyclists (mean ± SD) Age: 32 ± 7.2 years; body mass (bm): 77.0 ± 9.2 kg; VO2peak: 59.2 ± 6.8 ml·kg−1·min−1 completed seven laboratory visits which involved the determination of individual time to peak alkalosis following sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion, an environment specific ramp test (e.g. normoxia and hypoxia) and four x 3 min critical power (CP) tests under different experimental conditions. Participants completed four trials: alkalosis normoxia (ALN); placebo normoxia (PLN); alkalosis hypoxia (ALH); and placebo hypoxia (PLH). Pre-exercise administration of 0.3 g.kg−1 BM of NaHCO3 was used to induce alkalosis. Environmental conditions were set at either normobaric hypoxia (FiO2: 14.5%) or normoxia (FiO2: 20.93%). Results An increase in W’ was observed with pre-exercise alkalosis under both normoxic (PLN: 15.1 ± 6.2 kJ vs. ALN: 17.4 ± 5.1 kJ; P = 0.006) and hypoxic conditions (ALN: 15.2 ± 4.9 kJ vs. ALN: 17.9 ± 5.2 kJ; P < 0.001). Pre-exercise alkalosis resulted in a larger reduction in bicarbonate ion (HCO3 −) concentrations during exercise in both environmental conditions (p < 0.001) and a greater blood lactate accumulation under hypoxia (P = 0.012). Conclusion Pre-exercise alkalosis substantially increased W’ and, therefore, may determine tolerance to exercise above CP under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. This may be due to NaHCO3 increasing HCO3 − buffering capacity to delay exercise-induced acidosis, which may, therefore, enhance anaerobic energy contribution. |
| Keywords | critical power, sodium bicarbonate, altitude, severe intensity domain |
| Journal | European Journal of Applied Physiology |
| Journal citation | 117 (5), pp. 901-912 |
| ISSN | 1439-6319 |
| Year | 2017 |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3574-4 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 09 Mar 2017 |
| Published in print | May 2017 |