title: Influence of prior sprint exercise on the parameters of the 'all-out critical power test' in men.
abstract: We tested the hypothesis that a prior 30 s sprint exercise bout would significantly reduce the curvature constant (W') but not the power-asymptote (critical power, CP) of the power-duration relationship as assessed using a novel 3 min all-out cycling test. Seven physically active male subjects completed the 3 min all-out test on three occasions in random order: following no prior sprint exercise (control, C); following a 30 s sprint and a 2 min recovery (S2); and following a 30 s sprint and a 15 min recovery period (S15). The CP was estimated from the mean power output sustained over the final 30 s of the test and the W' was estimated as the power-time integral above the end-test power. There were no significant differences in the estimated CP between the control 3 min all-out trial and the two prior sprint conditions (C, 235 +/- 44 W; S2, 223 +/- 46 W; and S15, 232 +/- 50 W; P > 0.05; coefficients of variation 2, 3 and 6% for C-S2, C-S15 and S2-S15, respectively). However, the W' in S2 (16.5 +/- 3.3 kJ) was significantly lower than in C (20.8 +/- 3.9 kJ) and S15 (21.2 +/- 4.5 kJ; P < 0.05). The total work done was lower in S2 than in the other conditions (S2, 56.4 +/- 7.2 kJ; C, 63.5 +/- 6.6 kJ; and S15, 63.0 +/- 6.0 kJ; P < 0.05). The W', but not the CP, is sensitive to a bout of prior sprint exercise which would be expected to result in significant muscle phosphocreatine depletion. These findings support the fundamental principles of the power-duration relationship as applied to all-out exercise.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Devon, UK.
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vanhatalo
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D010725:Phosphocreatine