TY - JOUR
T1 - Haemodynamic kinetics and intermittent finger flexor performance in rock climbers
AU - Fryer, S.
AU - Stoner, L.
AU - Lucero, A.
AU - Witter, T.
AU - Scarrott, C.
AU - Dickson, T.
AU - Cole, M.
AU - Draper, N.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York.
PY - 2014/9/24
Y1 - 2014/9/24
N2 - Currently it is unclear whether blood flow (BF) or muscle oxidative capacity best governs performance during intermittent contractions to failure. The aim of this study was to determine oxygenation kinetics and BF responses during intermittent (10s contraction: 3s release) contractions at 40% of MVC in rock climbers of different ability (N=38). Total forearm BF, as well as de-oxygenation and re-oxygenation of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) were assessed. Compared to the control, intermediate and advanced groups, the elite climbers had a significantly (p<0.05) greater force time integral (FTI), MVC and MVC/kg. Furthermore, the elite climbers de-oxygenated the FDP significantly more during the first (7.8, 11.9, 12.4 vs. 15.7 O2%) and middle (7.3, 8.8, 10.4 vs.15.3 O2%) phases of contractions as well as for the FCR during the first phase only (8.3, 7, 11.7 vs. 13.3 O2%). They also had a significantly higher BF upon release of the contractions (656, 701, 764 vs. 971mLmin-1). The higher FTI seen in elite climbers may be attributable to a greater blood delivery, and an enhanced O2 recovery during the 3s release periods, as well as a superior muscle oxidative capacity associated with the greater de-oxygenation during the 10s contractions.
AB - Currently it is unclear whether blood flow (BF) or muscle oxidative capacity best governs performance during intermittent contractions to failure. The aim of this study was to determine oxygenation kinetics and BF responses during intermittent (10s contraction: 3s release) contractions at 40% of MVC in rock climbers of different ability (N=38). Total forearm BF, as well as de-oxygenation and re-oxygenation of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) were assessed. Compared to the control, intermediate and advanced groups, the elite climbers had a significantly (p<0.05) greater force time integral (FTI), MVC and MVC/kg. Furthermore, the elite climbers de-oxygenated the FDP significantly more during the first (7.8, 11.9, 12.4 vs. 15.7 O2%) and middle (7.3, 8.8, 10.4 vs.15.3 O2%) phases of contractions as well as for the FCR during the first phase only (8.3, 7, 11.7 vs. 13.3 O2%). They also had a significantly higher BF upon release of the contractions (656, 701, 764 vs. 971mLmin-1). The higher FTI seen in elite climbers may be attributable to a greater blood delivery, and an enhanced O2 recovery during the 3s release periods, as well as a superior muscle oxidative capacity associated with the greater de-oxygenation during the 10s contractions.
KW - blood flow
KW - climbing performance
KW - elite climbers
KW - force time integral
KW - oxygenation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84964297347&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1055/s-0034-1385887
DO - 10.1055/s-0034-1385887
M3 - Article
C2 - 25251449
AN - SCOPUS:84964297347
SN - 0172-4622
VL - 36
SP - 137
EP - 142
JO - International Journal of Sports Medicine
JF - International Journal of Sports Medicine
IS - 2
ER -