01-09-2005 | Original Article
Relationship between oxygen uptake kinetics and performance in repeated running sprints
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2005
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The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that subjects having a shorter time constant for the fast component of \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) kinetics in a transition from rest to constant exercise would maintain their speed for a longer time during repeated sprint exercise (RSE). Eleven male soccer players completed a graded test, two constant exercises at 60% maximal aerobic speed and RSE, consisting of fifteen 40-m sprints alternated with 25 s of active recovery. All the tests were performed on the field (200 m indoor track). The parameters of the \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) kinetics (time delay, time constant, and amplitude of the primary phase) during the two constant exercises were modeled. All subjects elicited \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2{\rm max}}\) during the RSE. A significant correlation was found between \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2{\rm max}}\) and the relative decrease in speed during the 15 sprints (r=0.71; p < 0.05), but not between \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2{\rm max}}\) and the cumulated time for the 15 sprints (r=0.48; p > 0.05). There were significant correlations between the time constant of the primary phase and the relative decrease in speed during the 15 sprints (r=0.80; p < 0.01) and the cumulated time for the 15 sprints (r=0.80; p < 0.01). These results suggest that individuals with faster \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) kinetics during constant load exercise might also have a faster adjustment of \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) during RSE leading to a shorter cumulated time and a lower relative decrease in speed during the 15 sprints.