Metabolic and performance effects of warm-up intensity on sprint cycling.
Warm-up is generally considered beneficial for performance, although the reduction in anaerobic glycolytic metabolism may be detrimental to sprinting. This study examined the effect of warm-up intensity on metabolism and performance in sprint cycling. The mean power was determined during a 1-min sprint on 11 trained males preceded by easy (WE), moderate (WM) or hard (WH) warm-up and a 10-min recovery. Aerobic, anaerobic glycolytic and phosphocreatine energy provision to the sprint was determined from oxygen uptake and lactate production. Blood lactate concentration before the sprint increased with the warm-up intensity (WE: 1.2±0.3; WM: 2.0±0.3; WH: 4.2±0.9 mmol/L, P<0.001), with WH reducing the increase in lactate production during exercise vs WE (WE: 11.6±1.6; WM: 10.9±1.9; WH: 9.2±1.4 mmol/L, P<0.05). Despite the lower relative anaerobic glycolytic energy provision in WH vs WE (WH: 38±5; WM: 36±6; WE: 34±3%, P<0.05), the mean power was unaffected (WE: 516±28; WM: 521±26; WH: 526±34 W, P>0.05) due to increased oxygen uptake in WH during the sprint (WE: 3.2±0.4; WM: 3.3±0.3; WH: 3.4±0.4 liters, P<0.05). This study supports a warm-up-induced reduction in glycolytic rate, although sprint performance, at least of a long duration, may be maintained due to increased oxygen utilization.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, UK. alwitt@essex.ac.uk
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Wittekind
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Beneke
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D019344:Lactic Acid