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Int J Sports Med 2000; 21(4): 250-255
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8883
Physiology and Biochemistry
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Performance Level and Cardiopulmonary Responses during a Cycle-Run Trial

O. Hue, D. Le Gallais, A. Boussana, D. Chollet, C. Prefaut
  • Laboratoire Sport, Performance Santé, UFR-STAPS, Montpellier, France
  • Laboratoire de Physiologie des Interactions, Service Central de Physiologie Clinique, Unité d'Exploration Respiratoire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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To determine the effect of triathlete performance level on the cardiorespiratory responses elicited by the cycle-run succession, eight regionally and nationally-ranked (Competitive) and five internationally-ranked (Elite) male triathletes underwent four successive laboratory trials: 1) an incremental treadmill test, 2) an incremental cycle test, 3) 30 min of cycling followed by 20 min of running (C-R), and 4) a 20-min control run (R) at the same speed as the run in C-R. Before and 10 min after the third and fourth trials the triathletes underwent lung function testing: spirometry and diffusing capacity testing for carbon monoxide (DLCO). During the C-R trial blood samples were drawn to measure venous lactate concentration. During all trials ventilatory data were collected every minute using an automated breath-by-breath system. The results showed that 1) the oxygen uptake (V˙O2) of post-cycling running versus running alone was similar for both groups; 2) the ventilatory responses (V˙E, V˙E/V˙O2, V˙E/V˙CO2 and f) of C-R running versus R were significantly higher (P < 0.005) for the Competitive group; and 3) a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in DLCO was also noted after the C-R trial in the Competitive group but not in the Elite group. We concluded that 1) the ventilatory responses during a run subsequent to cycling may be related to the triathlete performance level, and 2) the C-R trial induced specific alterations in pulmonary function that may be associated with respiratory muscle alteration and exercise-induced hypoxemia in the Competitive triathletes.

Key words:

Triathlon - elite triathlete - performance - exercise-induced hypoxemia - respiratory muscle fatigue

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O. Hue

UFR-STAPS Antilles-Guyane Campus de Fouillole

BP 592

97159 Pointe à Pitre Cedex

France

Phone: + 33 (5) 909386

Email: Olivier.Hue@univ-ag.fr

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