Schematic representation of the experimental design (10×6-s/30-s ten sprints of 6 s in duration each interspersed with 30 s of recovery; 5×6-s/30-s five sprints of 6 s in duration each interspersed with 30 s of recovery).

<p>A total of three muscle biopsies was obtained from each subject during the muscle biopsy condition.</p

Muscle ATP, PCr, Lac, H⁺ and pH in the vastus lateralis muscle at rest (Pre), following the completion of ten, 6-s cycling sprints interspersed with 30 s of recovery (Post 0), and after 6 min of recovery (Post 6).

<p>Values are means ± SD, <i>N</i> = 7 men. ATP = adenosine triphosphate; PCr = phosphocreatine; Lac = lactate; H⁺ = hydrogen ions; dm, dry muscle. * Significantly differences from Pre values, † Significant differences from Post 0 values, P<0.05.</p

Evolution of the total work done (TW, black column), EMG root mean square of the vastus lateralis muscle (RMS, white column), and TW/RMS ratio (cross-hatch column) for the entire group over selected sprints.

<p>Data are presented as means ± SEM, expressed as a % of sprint 1 (n = 8). * Significantly different from Sprint 1, P<0.05; † Significantly different from Sprint 10, P<0.05; § Significantly different from Sprint 10, P<0.05.</p

SEM images showing preservation of the morphological and structural integrity of the sample before conversion (a,b and c) and after conversion (d, e and f).

<p>The images also detail the uniform distribution of surface pores.</p

Compositional make-up of samples before and after hydrothermal conversion.

<p>Compositional make-up of samples before and after hydrothermal conversion.</p

XRD spectra showing before and after hydrothermal conversion of sample with matching peaks corresponding to calcium carbonate and β-TCP.

<p>XRD spectra showing before and after hydrothermal conversion of sample with matching peaks corresponding to calcium carbonate and β-TCP.</p

SEM images showing simvastatin loaded β-TCP sample [(a), (b)] and with apatite coating [(c), (d)] showing a spherical coating around the sample material.

<p>SEM images showing simvastatin loaded β-TCP sample [(a), (b)] and with apatite coating [(c), (d)] showing a spherical coating around the sample material.</p

FTIR spectra comparing before and after hydrothermal conversion reinforcing conversion of calcium carbonate sample to β-TCP.

<p>FTIR spectra comparing before and after hydrothermal conversion reinforcing conversion of calcium carbonate sample to β-TCP.</p

Cross sectional image taken by SEM showing various porous chambers within the material (a); micro-CT image showing similar structure with a denser porous network towards the center of the material and the pore size distribution profile of the material is shown in (c).

<p>Cross sectional image taken by SEM showing various porous chambers within the material (a); micro-CT image showing similar structure with a denser porous network towards the center of the material and the pore size distribution profile of the material is shown in (c).</p

The <i>in-vitro</i> release profile of simvastatin with and without the apatite coating showing controlled and slower release of the drug by 20% over 7 days.

<p>The <i>in-vitro</i> release profile of simvastatin with and without the apatite coating showing controlled and slower release of the drug by 20% over 7 days.</p