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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-07-2019 | Motor Evoked Potential | Original Article

Neuromuscular evaluation of arm-cycling repeated sprints under hypoxia and/or blood flow restriction

Authors: Arthur Peyrard, Sarah J. Willis, Nicolas Place, Grégoire P. Millet, Fabio Borrani, Thomas Rupp

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 7/2019

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the effects of hypoxia and/or blood flow restriction (BFR) on an arm-cycling repeated sprint ability test (aRSA) and its impact on elbow flexor neuromuscular function.

Methods

Fourteen volunteers performed an aRSA (10 s sprint/20 s recovery) to exhaustion in four randomized conditions: normoxia (NOR), normoxia plus BFR (N_BFR), hypoxia (FiO₂ = 0.13, HYP) and hypoxia plus BFR (H_BFR). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), resting twitch force (Db10), and electromyographic responses from the elbow flexors [biceps brachii (BB)] to electrical and transcranial magnetic stimulation were obtained to assess neuromuscular function. Main effects of hypoxia, BFR, and interaction were analyzed on delta values from pre- to post-exercise.

Results

BFR and hypoxia decreased the number of sprints during aRSA with no significant cumulative effect (NOR 16 ± 8; N_BFR 12 ± 4; HYP 10 ± 3 and H_BFR 8 ± 3; P < 0.01). MVC decrease from pre- to post-exercise was comparable whatever the condition. M-wave amplitude (− 9.4 ± 1.9% vs. + 0.8 ± 2.0%, P < 0.01) and Db10 force (− 41.8 ± 4.7% vs. − 27.9 ± 4.5%, P < 0.01) were more altered after aRSA with BFR compared to without BFR. The exercise-induced increase in corticospinal excitability was significantly lower in hypoxic vs. normoxic conditions (e.g., BB motor evoked potential at 75% of MVC: − 2.4 ± 4.2% vs. + 16.0 ± 5.9%, respectively, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

BFR and hypoxia led to comparable aRSA performance impairments but with distinct fatigue etiology. BFR impaired the muscle excitation–contraction coupling whereas hypoxia predominantly affected corticospinal excitability indicating incapacity of the corticospinal pathway to adapt to fatigue as in normoxia.

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Title: Neuromuscular evaluation of arm-cycling repeated sprints under hypoxia and/or blood flow restriction
Authors: Arthur Peyrard
Sarah J. Willis
Nicolas Place
Grégoire P. Millet
Fabio Borrani
Thomas Rupp
Publication date: 01-07-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Motor Evoked Potential
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Electromyographic
Motor Evoked Potential
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Fatigue
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 7/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04143-4

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Neuromuscular evaluation of arm-cycling repeated sprints under hypoxia and/or blood flow restriction

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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