Biomedical subjects

A J Rattu

Publications and source records attributed to A J Rattu.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Exogenous carbohydrate utilisation: effects on metabolism and exercise performance.

It is generally recognized that a decrease in carbohydrate availability can lead to the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise in humans. Administration of glucose or other carbohydrates before or during exercise has been shown to postpone fatigue, conserve muscle glycogen and improve performance. Carbohydrates can be categorised according to their ability to increase blood glucose concentration (known as glycaemic index) and by the extent they stimulate the release of insulin. The glycaemic index is reflected in the rate at which consumed carbohydrate is made available in the blood. Glucose is the only type of carbohydrate that can readily be oxidised by skeletal muscle for energy production. Gastric emptying is the primary factor limiting the rate of carbohydrate delivery to the blood and therefore influences the utilisation of exogenous carbohydrate ingested before or during exercise. Various methods have been used to assess the oxidation of exogenous carbohydrates during exercise. Peak rates of CHO oxidation during exercise have been reported between 0.4 and 1.0 g/min, and the rates of oxidation do not appear to be influenced to a major extent by the use of multiple drinking schedule in comparison with a single bolus schedule. Previous studies also suggest that the ingestion of fructose during exercise does not offer any additional benefits over ingestion of glucose or glucose polymer solutions of similar concentration. The hormones insulin, glucagon and adrenaline together with cortisol and growth hormone play key roles in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Ingestion of moderately concentrated carbohydrate solutions (4-8%) enhances prolonged exercise performance and is appropriate for optimising energy and fluid delivery without causing adverse effects. The ergogenic effects of carbohydrate ingestion on performance during intermittent exercise such as competitive sports are less well established, although the evidence to date suggests diminished performance when carbohydrate are limiting.

Biological Transport, Active↗

PubMed1997

Carbohydrate ingestion improves endurance performance during a 1 h simulated cycling time trial.

This study examined the effect of carbohydrate ingestion on metabolic and performance-related responses during and after a simulated 1 h cycling time trial. Eight trained male cyclists (VO2 peak = 66.5 ml kg-1 min-1) rode their own bicycles mounted on a windload simulator to imitate real riding conditions. At a self-selected maximal pace, the cyclists performed two 1 h rides (separated by 7 days) and were fed either an 8% carbohydrate or placebo solution. The beverages were administered 25 min before (4.5 ml kg-1) and at the end (4.5 ml kg-1) of the ride. With carbohydrate feeding, plasma glucose tended (P = 0.21) to rise before the time trial. Compared with rest, the plasma glucose concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) at the end of both rides, with no statistically significant difference being observed between treatments. Thereafter, plasma glucose increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 15 and 30 min into recovery and was significantly higher at 30 min during the carbohydrate trial compared with the placebo trial. No significant changes in plasma free fatty acids were observed during the ride. However, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in free fatty acids was found at 15 and 30 min into recovery, with no difference between trials. Mean power output was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during the carbohydrate compared with the placebo trial (mean +/- S.E.: 277 +/- 3 and 269 +/- 3 W, respectively). The greater distance covered in the carbohydrate compared with the placebo trial (41.5 +/- 1.06 and 41.0 +/- 1.06 km, respectively; P < 0.05) was equivalent to a 44 s improvement. We conclude that pre-exercise carbohydrate ingestion significantly increases endurance performance in trained cyclists during a 1 h simulated time trial. Although the mechanism for this enhancement in performance with carbohydrate ingestion cannot be surmised from the present results, it could be related to a higher rate of carbohydrate oxidation, or to favourable effects of carbohydrate ingestion on the central component of fatigue.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Changes in lipid profile variables in response to submaximal and maximal exercise in trained cyclists.

This study examined the effect of prolonged submaximal exercise followed by a self-paced maximal performance test on cholesterol (T-Chol), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Nine trained male athletes cycled at 70 percent of maximal oxygen consumption for 60 min, followed by a self-paced maximal ride for 10 min. Venous blood samples were obtained at rest, at 30 and 60 min during submaximal exercise, and immediately after the performance test. Lactic acid, haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), T-Chol and TG were measured in the blood, while plasma was assayed for HDL-C. Plasma volume changes in response to exercise were calculated from Hct and Hb values and all lipid measurements were corrected accordingly. In order to ascertain the repeatability of lipid responses to exercise, all subjects were re-tested under identical testing conditions and experimental protocols. When data obtained during the two exercise trials were analysed by two-way ANOVA no significant differences (P > 0.05) between tests were observed. Consequently the data obtained during the two testing trials were pooled and analysed by one-way ANOVA. Blood lactic acid increased nonsignificantly (P > 0.05) during the prolonged submaximal test, but rose markedly (P <0.05) following the performance ride. Lipid variables ascertained at rest were within the normal range for healthy subjects. ANOVA showed that blood T-Chol and TG were unchanged (P > 0.05), whereas HDL-C rose significantly (P <0.05) in response to exercise. Post hoc analyses indicated that the latter change was due to a significant rise in HDL-C after the performance ride. It is concluded that apparent favourable changes in lipid profile variables occur in response to prolonged submaximal exercise followed by maximal effort, and these changes showed a good level of agreement over the two testing occasions.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Effects of active warm-down and carbohydrate feeding on free fatty acid concentrations after prolonged submaximal exercise.

We examined the effects of active warm-down (AWD) and carbohydrate ingestion on plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and glucose changes into recovery following prolonged submaximal exercise. Subjects in Group 1 cycled at 70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); carbohydrate (CHO) or placebo (PLA) was ingested 15 min before and 45 min during exercise. In the AWD experiment, exercise was followed immediately by an AWD and subjects were given a placebo solution. Group 2 subjects consumed CHO or PLA at 75 min during and after exercise at 70% VO2max. ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels only in Group 1, with a concomitant increase in FFA concentrations during exercise in both groups. Carbohydrate ingestion in Groups 1 and 2 significantly decreased the normal response of FFAs during exercise and markedly reduced the normal elevation of FFAs in recovery. AWD following submaximal exercise had no effect on plasma FFA elevations in recovery. These results suggest that carbohydrate ingestion, but not active warm-down, attenuates FFA elevations in recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis at rest and in response to maximal exercise before and after a physical conditioning programme.

Twenty-five young subjects were divided into experimental (n = 13) and control (n = 12) groups in order to examine the acute and chronic effects of exercise on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis variables were ascertained in both groups before and after a physical conditioning programme both at rest and following maximal exercise. The experimental group exercised for 12 weeks [30 min, 3 x week at 70% (6 weeks) and 80% (6 weeks) of maximum heart rate]. The control group maintained normal activity patterns. Significant activation (P < 0.05) of blood coagulation was observed in response to maximal exercise before and after the conditioning programme in both groups in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin clotting time (TCT), factor VIII procoagulant activity (FVIII PA) and factor VIII antigen (FVIII A). Likewise, blood plasminogen activator showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in response to maximal exercise before and after conditioning in both groups. Although VO2 max following the conditioning programme was significantly increased in the exercise group versus control, no significant changes (P > 0.05) were observed in either group in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters at rest or in response to maximal exercise. It is concluded that maximal exercise transiently accelerates blood coagulation and activates blood fibrinolytic activity, however physical conditioning appears not to influence the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems at rest or in response to maximal exercise.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Effects of carbohydrate feeding before and during prolonged exercise on subsequent maximal exercise performance capacity.

The study examined the effect of carbohydrate ingestion on exercise performance capacity. Nine male cyclists performed two separate trials at 70% VO2max for 60 min followed by a maximal ride for 10 min. During trials subjects were fed either an 8% glucose solution (CHO) or a placebo solution (PL), which were administered at rest and during and immediately after submaximal exercise. Statistical analyses indicated that glucose levels at rest increased significantly 15 min after the ingestion of CHO compared to PL. At 30 and 60 min during submaximal exercise, plasma glucose levels decreased significantly in the CHO but not in the PL trial. Following the performance ride, glucose levels increased significantly only during the CHO test trial. Free fatty acids did not change significantly during testing trials. The maximal performance ride results showed that in the CHO trial, a significantly greater external work load was accomplished compared to the PL trial. It is concluded that CHO ingestion improves maximal exercise performance after prolonged exercise.

Adult↗