The association of elevated blood pressure during ischaemic exercise with sport performance in Master athletes with and without morbidity

Background An exaggerated exercise blood pressure (BP) is associated with a reduced exercise capacity. However, its connection to physical performance during competition is unknown. Aim To examine BP responses to ischaemic handgrip exercise in Master athletes (MA) with and without underlying morbidities and to assess their association with athletic performance during the World Master Track Cycling Championships 2019. Methods Forty-eight Master cyclists [age 59±13yrs; weekly training volume 10.4±4.1 h/week; handgrip maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) 46.3±11.5 kg] divided into 2 matched groups (24 healthy MA and 24 MA with morbidity) and 10 healthy middle-aged non-athlete controls (age 48.3±8.3 years; MVC 40.4±14.8 kg) performed 5 min of forearm occlusion including 1 min handgrip isometric contraction (40%MVC) followed by 5 min recovery. Continuous beat-by-beat BP was recorded using fnger plethysmography. Age-graded performance (AGP) was calculated to compare race performances among MA. Healthy Master cyclists were further grouped into middle-age (age 46.2±6.4 years; N:12) and old-age (age 65.0±7.7 years; N:12) for comparison with middle-aged non-athlete controls. Results Healthy and morbidity MA groups showed similar BP responses during forearm occlusion and AGP (90.1±4.3% and 91.0±5.3%, p>0.05, respectively). Healthy and morbidity MA showed modest correlation between the BP rising slope for 40%MVC ischaemic exercise and AGP (r=0.5, p<0.05). MA showed accelerated SBP recovery after cessation of ischaemic handgrip exercise compared to healthy non-athlete controls. Conclusion Our fndings associate long-term athletic training with improved BP recovery following ischaemic exercise regardless of age or reported morbidity. Exaggerated BP in Master cyclists during ischaemic exercise was associated with lower AGP during the World Master Cycling Championships

Age-related declines in muscle and respiratory function are proportionate to declines in performance in Master Track Cyclists

Purpose Respiratory and musculoskeletal function decline with age, irrespective of physical activity levels. Previous work has suggested that the age-related rate of decline in function of these two systems might be similar, but it is not known to what extent each system contributes to decreasing performance in ageing master cyclists. Therefore, the purposes of this study are (1) whether the age-related rate of decline in respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, muscle architecture, muscle function, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and performance in master cyclists is uniform and (2) which parameters contribute most to the reduction in performance with age. Methods Master cyclists were recruited during the Track Cycling Masters World Championship 2019 in Manchester. Respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength were determined using spirometry and a mouth pressure device, respectively. Muscle architecture was determined using ultrasonography, and muscle function by countermovement jump. Results Forced expiratory volume in the frst second, forced vital capacity, fascicle length, muscle thickness, take-of velocity, jump power, jump power per body mass, handgrip strength, haemoglobin concentration and performance correlated negatively with age (p≤0.043). The age-related rate of decline did not difer signifcantly between parameters (p=0.124), but it was slower for haemoglobin concentration (p=0.041). Take-of velocity was the major determinant of performance in 200, 500 and 2000 m track cycling disciplines (R2 adj=0.675, 0.786 and 0.769, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion Age-related decline in respiratory and muscle system is accompanied by a similar rate of decline in performance. The major contribution to the age-related decline of performance is reduced muscle function, specifcally take-of velocity

Age-related declines in muscle and respiratory function are proportionate to declines in performance in Master Track Cyclists

Abstract Purpose Respiratory and musculoskeletal function decline with age, irrespective of physical activity levels. Previous work has suggested that the age-related rate of decline in function of these two systems might be similar, but it is not known to what extent each system contributes to decreasing performance in ageing master cyclists. Therefore, the purposes of this study are (1) whether the age-related rate of decline in respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, muscle architecture, muscle function, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and performance in master cyclists is uniform and (2) which parameters Methods Master cyclists were recruited during the TrackCycling Masters World Championship 2019 in Manchester. Respg spirometry and a mouth pressure device, respectively. Muscle architecture was determined using ultrasonography, and muscle function by countermovement jump. Results Forced expiratory volume in the frst second, forced vital capacity, fascicle length, muscle thickness, take-of velocity, jump power, jump power per body mass, handgrip strength, haemoglobin concentration and performance correlated negatively with age (p≤0.043). The age-related rate of decline did not difer signifcantly between parameters (p=0.124), but it was slower for haemoglobin concentration (p=0.041). Take-of velocity was the major determinant of performance in 200, 500 and 2000 m track cycling disciplines (R2 adj=0.675, 0.786 and 0.769, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion Age-related decline in respiratory and muscle system is accompanied by a similar rate of decline in performance. The major contribution to the age-related decline of performance is reduced muscle function, specifcally take-off velocity

Effects of nociceptive and mechanosensitive afferents sensitization on central and peripheral hemodynamics following exercise-induced muscle damage

This study aims to test the separated and combined effects of mechanoreflex activation and nociception through exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on central and peripheral haemodynamics before and during single passive leg movement (sPLM). Eight healthy young males undertook four experimental sessions, in which a sPLM was performed on the dominant limb while in each specific session the contralateral was: a) in a resting condition (CTRL), b) stretched (ST), c) resting after EIMD called delayed-onset-muscle-soreness (DOMS) condition, or d) stretched after EIMD (DOMS+ST). EIMD was used to induce DOMS in the following 24-48h. Femoral blood flow (FBF) was assessed using doppler ultrasound while central haemodynamics were assessed via finger photoplethysmography. Leg vascular conductance (LVC) was calculated as FBF/MAP. RR-interval were analyzed in the time (RMSSD) and frequency domain (LF/HF). Blood samples were collected before each condition and gene expression analysis showed increased fold changes for P2X4 and IL1β in DOMS and DOMS+ST compared with baseline. Resting FBF and LVC were decreased only in the DOMS+ST condition (-26ml/min and -50ml/mmHg/min respectively) with decreased RMSSD and increased LF/HF ratio. MAP, HR, CO, and SV were increased in ST and DOMS+ST compared with CTRL. Marked decreases of delta peaks and AUC for FBF (∆: -146ml/min and -265ml respectively) and LVC (∆: -8.66ml/mmHg/min and ±1.7ml/mmHg/min respectively) all p<.05. These results suggest that combination of mechanoreflex and nociception resulted in decreased vagal tone and concomitant rise in sympathetic drive that led to increases in resting central hemodynamic with reduce limb blood flow before and during sPLM