Institutionen för fysiologi och farmakologi / Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Abstract
Oxygen uptake increases linearly with increased running speed or rate of
work and finally reaches a maximum beyond which no effort can drive it
further. This phenomenon is referred to as the plateau in oxygen
uptake . The classical and generally accepted view is that the maximal
oxygen uptake plateau is limited by the central circulation s inability
to distribute sufficient oxygen to all the working muscles. Throughout
history several different theories have been proposed as limitation
causes to maximal oxygen uptake, principally Central vs. Peripheral
limitations. Even though there is more than 80 years of scientific
investigation of maximal oxygen uptake, there is still no unarguable
agreement regarding the fundamental question: What sets the upper limit
for maximal oxygen uptake during exercise involving a large muscle mass?
More than a decade ago a new theory named Central Governor was proposed
to challenge the classical concept of maximal oxygen uptake. It suggested
that the absence of an oxygen uptake plateau in a few studies was enough
evidence to support that the oxygen delivery system was not a limiting
factor for maximal oxygen uptake. This theory has been criticized by many
physiologists who have provided important evidence for the classical
concept of maximal oxygen uptake. The theory also states that the
governor reduces the neuronal output to the heart and active muscles in
order to protect these tissues from becoming ischemic.
Therefore, the main purposes of this Licentiate thesis were: 1) To
determine and investigate the importance of the work of the heart as a
limiting factor in the attainment of maximal oxygen uptake during maximal
or supramaximal workloads, 2) To elucidate the relationship between
maximal oxygen uptake during maximal and supramaximal workloads and the
neuronal output to active skeletal muscles in order to evaluate the model
of regulation of the Central Governor theory. The main hypothesis was
that after different combined arm and leg exercises with different
maximal work rates, the mechanical work of the heart and the active
skeletal muscles would not be hindered by a command from the central
nervous system.
Sixteen subjects, healthy, endurance trained males participated in the
studies. Three different maximal combined arm and leg exercises were used
to determine maximal oxygen uptake. Oxygen uptake, pulmonary ventilation
and heart rate were measured continuously. Electrocardiography signals
were recorded in the end of every maximal exercise. Blood samples were
taken and electromyography activities were measured during exercise at
various time points.
The main findings were: 1) During all the maximal combined arm and leg
exercises, despite large variations in maximal work rates there was a
clear plateau in oxygen uptake both with rate of work and with time for
all participants. 2) During the plateau phase both the electromyography
activity of the activated muscles and the work of the heart increased
with increased rate of work without any increase in oxygen uptake. These
studies support the classical view of a limitation of maximal oxygen
uptake in the central circulation. This limitation refers to the hearts
inability to pump more blood at increasing exercise levels and not the
mechanical work of the heart or the heart muscle energetic insufficiency.
Furthermore, these data do not support a maximal oxygen uptake limitation
based on the Central Governor theory