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Biomedical subjects

C T Davies

Publications and source records attributed to C T Davies.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A comparison of the ventilatory responses to exercise of elderly and younger humans.

Elderly adults are assumed to have an exaggerated ventilatory response to exercise. This study sought to examine this assumption by comparing the steady-state ventilatory and gas exchange responses of a group of elderly and younger humans. Steady-state ventilatory responses to moderate cycle ergometer exercise were measured in 14 elderly (71.0 +/- 1.3, mean +/- SEM years) and 14 younger (21.8 +/- 0.7 years) subjects. Compared with the younger group, the elderly had a significantly higher VE, VCO2, and VO2 at all work rates. In addition, delta VE/delta VCO2 was significantly higher for the elderly than for the younger subjects (31.07 +/- 1.34 vs 27.16 +/- 1.01, respectively; p less than .03), but the intercept with the ventilation axis was significantly lower (0.81 +/- 0.97 1.min-1 vs 4.15 +/- 0.77 1.min-1, respectively; p less than .015). Consequently, the VE-VCO2 relationships of the two groups crossed and the ventilatory equivalent for CO2 was similar for both groups. Thus, in these elderly subjects, the steeper delta VE/delta VCO2 was misleading because it was not associated with a greater ventilatory equivalent for CO2. In summary, although the ventilatory response of these elderly subjects to a given work rate was greater than that of the younger subjects, this was secondary to a greater metabolic requirement and cannot therefore be considered exaggerated. Furthermore, the data suggest that delta VE/delta VCO2 may be an inappropriate index of the ventilatory response to exercise in the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The physiology of cycling with reference to power output and muscularity.

The maximal average power output (Wmax) and capacity (Wcap) of the short-term (anaerobic) energy processes are examined in cyclists and young adults with respect to body size and muscularity. The results show that when Wmax and Wcap are standardized for muscle size the power and capacity of the anaerobic mechanisms are similar between trained sprint and pursuit cyclists and untrained young healthy adults. Thus the efficiency of anaerobiosis appears to a function of muscularity in man over the range of subjects studies. From the data it is estimated that the probable efficiency of supra maximal cycling is of the same order (0.22) as found for steady state submaximal (aerobic) exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of load on oxygen intake in trained boys and men during treadmill running.

This investigation examines the effects of vertical and horizontal loading on the O2 intake (VO2) response of children (n = 8) and adults (n = 8) to treadmill running. In unloaded running, the children required a significantly greater VO2 (P less than 0.001) than the adults [mean difference 7 ml.kg-1.min-1 (18.5%)]. There was no significant difference in the VO2 response of the children and the adults to either vertical or horizontal loading. Vertical loading with 5 and 10% of body mass did not produce a significant increase in the VO2 response of either group. In contrast, horizontal loading produced a significant increase (P less than 0.001) in both groups. The consistent response to the two forms of loading suggests that there is no difference between children and adults in the apparent efficiency of running with an external load. Stride frequency showed a significant increase with vertical loading (P less than 0.001) and a significant decrease with horizontal loading (P less than 0.001) in both groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Maximal mechanical power output and capacity of cyclists and young adults.

The maximal average power output (Wmax) has been examined in 10 male students, 22 pursuit and 12 sprint cyclists. In 24 of these subjects (8 students, 10 pursuit and 6 sprint cyclists), estimates of the maximal capacity (Wcap) of the short-term anaerobic energy yielding processes were made. The results show that the sprinters had a higher absolute Wmax (1241 +/- 266 W) and Wcap (16.7 +/- 4.9 kJ) than either the students (1019 +/- 183 W, 14.7 +/- 2.8 kJ) or the pursuit cyclists (962 +/- 206 W, 14.0 +/- 2.9 kJ). However, the differences were removed when the values were standardised for muscle size. In the sprinters the Wmax was attained at an optimal pedal frequency Vopt of 132 +/- 3 min-1 and the estimated maximal velocity of pedalling (V0) was 262 +/- 8 min-1. The comparable figures in the students and pursuit cyclists were 118 +/- 8 min-1, 235 +/- 17 min-1 and 122 +/- 6 min-1, 242 +/- 12 min-1 respectively. The coefficient of variation of duplicate measurements of Wcap was found to be +/- 9%. Using data of Wilkie (1968) for muscle phosphagen and glycolytic stores (27 mmol.kg-1), it was estimated that the probable efficiency of the anaerobic processes during maximal cycling was 0.22. It was concluded that Wmax and Wcap are largely determined by body size and muscularity. The efficiency of anaerobiosis appears to be of the same order of magnitude as found for oxidative work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The human pressor response during and following voluntary and evoked isometric contraction with occluded local blood supply.

1. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure were observed, in nine healthy subjects, during and after voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions of the triceps surae under conditions of local circulatory arrest. 2. The progressive increases in heart rate and blood pressure seen during 2 min voluntary and evoked contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction were not significantly different in the two conditions. On cessation of contraction but with circulatory arrest maintained, heart rate fell to control levels while blood pressure fell to a similar though still significantly elevated level in both conditions. Elevated blood pressure was maintained for 2 min until the circulatory occlusion was removed; however it was maintained at a significantly higher level for the last 60-90 s of occlusion following electrically evoked contractions compared to voluntary contraction. 3. Comparison of the responses to voluntary and involuntary electrically evoked contractions suggest that 'central command' is not necessary for the initial increases in heart rate and blood pressure to occur. In addition the removal of central command on cessation of contraction need not account for the return of heart rate to control levels or the drop in blood pressure at that time. Maintained blood pressure elevation during circulatory occlusion would seem to be due to the trapping of chemical substances within the muscle interstitium.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Electrically evoked isometric and isokinetic properties of the triceps surae in young male subjects.

The relationship between electrically evoked isometric and isokinetic properties of the triceps surae have been studied in 11 healthy male subjects. The results showed that the time to peak tension (TPT) and half relaxation time (1/2 RT) of the maximal twitch were 110 +/- 11 ms and 82 +/- 11 ms respectively, and the peak rates of rise of contraction (delta P50, delta P200) and relaxation (delta PR50, delta PR200) at 50 and 200 Hz were 0.36 +/- 0.07, 0.48 +/- 0.08 and 1.27 +/- 0.33, 1.25 +/- 0.27% Po ms-1 respectively. The decline in force during a fatigue test was significantly (P less than 0.02) associated with the decrease in maximal relaxation rate (r = 0.79). The TPT was significantly (P less than 0.05) and inversely related to delta P50 and delta P200. The mean angle specific torque-velocity relationship for the 11 subjects was adequately described by the empirical exponential equation of the form: V = 16.5 (e-P/30.8-e-84.3/30.8) where V = velocity (rads s-1) and P = torque (Nm). The only significant association found between the isometric and isokinetic properties of the muscle was between delta PR200 and the torque expressed at a given velocity of 4 rads s-1. This lack of association between the two variables is difficult to explain with certainty but it is suggested that it may be due to the differential effects of Ca2+ release and uptake and cross-bridge turnover rate in the two situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Electrically evoked contractions of the triceps surae during and following 21 days of voluntary leg immobilization.

The effects of 21 days voluntary leg (plaster) immobilization on the mechanical properties of the triceps surae have been studied in 11 young female subjects, mean age 19.4 years. The results show that during the period of immobilization the mean time to peak tension (TPT) and half relaxation time (1/2RT) and tension (Pt) of the maximal twitch increased significantly (p less than 0.001) but the effects were short lived. Maximal tension and contraction times of the twitch recovered within 2-14 days following the removal of the plaster cast. The electrically evoked tetanic tensions at 10 Hz and 20 Hz did not change significantly (P greater than 0.1) during immobilization, but the 50 Hz tetanic tension (Po50) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were reduced (p less than 0.05). The fall in Po50 and MVC was associated with 10% decrease in the estimated muscle (plus bone) cross-sectional area. The relative (%) change in Po50 and MVC following immobilization was related to the initial physiological status (as indicated by the response of the triceps surae to a standard fatigue test prior to immobilization) of the muscle. The rate of rise and recovery fall of the tetanus were slightly but significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced on day 7 of immobilization, but thereafter remained constant. The isokinetic properties of the triceps surae as reflected in the measured torque/velocity relation of the muscle in 4 subjects did not change significantly if account was taken of the slight degree of atrophy present following immobilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Electrically evoked isokinetic plantar flexor torque in males.

The involuntary angle-specific isokinetic plantar flexor torques of seven male subjects aged 18-21 yr were measured using a Cybex II dynamometer (Lumex) modified by the addition of a strain-gauge load cell to improve the dynamic response of the instrument. Supramaximal electrical stimuli were used to evoke a maximal tetanic response from the triceps surae and ensure constant muscle activation at each angular velocity studied. Angle-specific torques were measured over a range (0.5-5.0 rad/s) of preset velocities, torque decreasing in a nonlinear manner with increasing angular velocity. The torque-velocity data was adequately described by an exponential equation of the form: V = a(e-1/b - e-Po/b) where V = velocity (rad/s), P = torque (N.m), Po = isometric torque (N.m), and a and b are constants. The mean intrasubject coefficient of variation of torque over the range of velocities studies was 7.9 +/- 1.88% (SD).

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Mechanical properties of young and elderly human muscle.

The electrically evoked isometric properties of the triceps surae have been studied in young (22 yr) and elderly (69 yr) men and women. The results show that the triceps surae of elderly subjects had an increased time to peak tension (TPT) of the twitch, a lower specific tension (force/cross section area), and showed a greater relative force loss when subjected to a standard "fatigue" test procedure than young triceps surae. The respective figures for TPT, specific tension, and fatigue index (FI) were 147 +/- 15 ms (male), 143 +/- 8 ms (female), 19.5 N/cm2 and 0.52 +/- 0.16 (male), 0.37 +/- 0.09 (female) in the elderly, compared with 118 +/- 14 ms (male), 132 +/- 11 ms (female), 32.9 N/cm2 and 0.67 +/- 0.11 (male), 0.62 +/- 0.09 (female) in their younger counterparts. The peak rates of rise (delta P50, delta P200) and relaxation (delta PR50, delta PR200) of tetani at 50 Hz and 200 Hz were slower (p less than 0.05) in the elderly group. The delta P50 and delta P200 were inversely associated (r = 0.76 and -0.50 respectively) with TPT, and the half relaxation time (1/2RT) of the maximal twitch was related to delta PR50 (r = 0.53). The decrease of tetanus relaxation rate during the 2 min fatigue test (delta PRF) was greater in the elderly than the young and was positively associated (r = 0.74) with FI. It is concluded that elderly muscle is weaker, more slowly contracting and fatigable than that of the young. However, it is suggested that the reduced specific tension and enhanced fatiguability of the elderly may in part be due respectively to the inadequacies of our estimates of the effective cross-sectional area CSA) of contractile tissue in the lower leg and the influence of blood flow which may be compromised during a 2 min test.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Physiological responses to prolonged exercise in ultramarathon athletes.

The physiological responses of 10 ultramarathon athletes to prolonged exercise at the highest intensity level they could sustain for 4 h have been examined. Energy expenditure for the 4 h of exercise was 14,146 +/- 1,789 kJ, of which 63% was provided by the oxidation of fat. Plasma free fatty acids rose, but the changes in blood lactate concentration (delta 0.2 mmol/l) and exchange ratio (delta 0.05) were small, and the postexercise glycogen content (130 +/- 42 mumol/g) of the vastus lateralis muscles was estimated to be 37-53% of normal resting values. During exercise O2 intake (VO2) increased with time from the 50th to 240th min, the rise becoming significant (P less than 0.01) after 110 min of work. The change in VO2 was equivalent to a rise in relative intensity (%VO2max) of +9.1% and a change of speed of 1.49 km/h. A rise in cardiac frequency compensated for a fall in stroke volume (SV), so that cardiac output was maintained, and the increases in rectal temperature (Tre) (delta 0.63 degree C) and sweat loss (3.49 +/- 0.50 kg, equivalent to 5.5% of body wt) and the decreased mean skin temperature (Tsk) (-1.22 degree C) were within tolerable limits during exercise. Following exercise there was a loss (-25%) of ability to generate voluntary force of the quadriceps femoris, though electrically evoked mechanical properties of the muscle remained unchanged. The results suggest that neither thermal nor cardiovascular factors are limiting to prolonged (4 h) exercise, although the ability to utilize fat as a fuel may be important in ultradistance athletes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The pressor response to voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions in man.

Blood pressure and heart rate changes during sustained isometric exercise were studied in 11 healthy male volunteers. The responses were measured during voluntary and involuntary contractions of the biceps brachii at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and the triceps surae at 30% and 50% MVC. Involuntary contractions were evoked by percutaneous electrical stimulation of the muscle. Measurements of the time to peak tension of maximal twitch showed the biceps brachii (67.0 +/- 7.9 ms) muscle to be rapidly contracting, and the triceps surae (118.0 +/- 10.5 ms) to be slow contracting. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased linearly throughout the contractions, and systolic blood pressure increased more rapidly than diastolic. There was no significant difference in response to stimulated or voluntary contractions, nor was there any significant difference between the responses to contractions of the calf or arm muscles at the same relative tension. In contrast the heart rate rose to a higher level (P less than 0.01) in the biceps brachii than the triceps surae at given % MVC, and during voluntary compared with the electrically evoked contractions in the two muscle groups. It was concluded that the arterial blood pressure response to isometric contractions, unlike heart rate, is primarily due to a reflex arising within the active muscles (cf. Hultman and Sjöholm 1982) which is associated with relative tension but independent of contraction time and muscle mass.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Muscle weakness following sustained and rhythmic isometric contractions in man.

The effects of sustained and rhythmically performed isometric contractions on electrically evoked twitch and tetanic force generation of the triceps surae have been investigated in 4 healthy male subjects. The isometric contractions were performed separately and on different occasions at 30%, 60% and 100% of the force of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The area under the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force/time curve during the rhythmic and sustained contractions was the same for each experiment. The results showed that following rhythmic isometric exercise there was a small decrease in low (10 and 20 Hz) and high (40 Hz) frequency tetanic tension which was associated with % MVC. However, there was no change in the 20/40 ratio of tetanic forces, MVC or the contraction times and force of the maximal twitch. In contrast, following sustained isometric exercise tetanic forces were markedly reduced, particularly at low frequencies of stimulation. The 20/40 ratio decreased and the induced muscle weakness was greater at 30% than 60% or 100% MVC. The performance of sustained isometric contractions also effected a decrease in contraction time of the twitch and MVC. The results are in accord with previous findings for dynamic work (Davies and White 1982), and show that if isometric exercise is performed rhythmically the effect on tetanic tensions is small and there is no evidence of a preferential loss of electrically evoked force at either high or low frequencies of stimulation following the contractions. For sustained contractions, however, the opposite is true, the ratio of 20/40 Hz forces is markedly reduced and following 30% sustained MVC there is a significant (p less than 0.05) change in the time to peak tension (TPT) of the maximal twitch.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The effects of two forms of isometric training on the mechanical properties of the triceps surae in man.

The training effects of rhythmic and sustained isometric contractions on the contractile characteristics of the triceps surae have been investigated in four healthy subjects over a period of 8 weeks. One leg (ST) of each subject was trained by performing repeated daily sustained (1 min) isometric contractions at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC), and the other using rhythmic isometric contractions at 100% of MVC. The protocol was so arranged that the total area under the training force/time curves was the same for each limb. Electrically evoked maximal twitch (Pt) and tetanic (Po) tensions of the triceps surae were measured weekly on both legs using a standard procedure. The results showed that the rhythmic regime increased the MVC at the rate of 5.5% per week and the sustained training increased MVC at the rate of 3.3% per week. Twitch and tetanic tensions were not altered by either regime. However, only training using sustained contractions produced a progressive increase in endurance as measured by performance in a fatigue test. The results suggest that increases in voluntary strength resulting from short term isometric training are not necessarily associated with a rise in the intrinsic involuntary capacity of muscle fibres to generate force.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Mechanical power output in children aged 11 and 14 years.

Short-term power output in jumping and cycling has been measured in 56 children aged 11 and 14 years. The results showed that the peak power output in cycling (Wb) and jumping (Wp) were closely associated (r = 0.91) but in absolute terms Wb was approximately 34% greater than Wb. There were no significant differences in Wb (or Wp) between the 11-year-old boys and girls, but the 14-year-old boys recorded approximately 25% higher power output values in cycling and jumping than girls of the same age and were approximately twice as powerful as their younger male counterparts. The velocity of movement in cycling (Vb) and jumping (VT) for a given age were identical and independent of sex in the younger children. Peak power output in cycling was reached when force and velocity were equivalent to 50% of their calculated maximal values. When Wb and Wp were related to an anthropometric estimate of leg muscle (plus bone) volume the difference in absolute power output between the children disappeared. The results suggest that the difference between Wp and Wb and the increase in absolute mechanical power output with age is mainly a function of size and the force which can be exerted at the optimal frequency of movement in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Adaptation of mechanical properties of muscle to high force training in man.

The first dorsal interosseus muscle of the hand was trained for 8 weeks using eighty maximal 10 s voluntary isometric contractions per day. As a result of this training the maximal voluntary force increased by 33%, but electrically evoked tetanic tension increased by only 11%. In other subjects the muscle was trained using electrical stimulation at 60 Hz to evoke eighty maximal 10 s tetani per day for 8 weeks. This training produced no increase in maximum voluntary force. Our results show that the increase in maximal voluntary force under these conditions may be due to a change in the voluntary neural drive to the muscle.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1985

Effect of heating on the contractile properties of triceps surae and maximal power output during jumping in elderly men.

The electrically evoked contractile properties of the triceps surae and short-term (less than 2 s) maximal power output during vertical jumping have been examined before and after heating (by water immersion) in 5 elderly men aged 70 +/- 5 years. Leg immersion in water at 44 degrees C for 30 min produced a 3.4 degrees C rise in muscle temperature (Tm) and was associated with a significant (p less than 0.001) reduction in maximal time to peak tension and half relaxation time of the twitch, but was without affect on maximal twitch, tetanic (20 and 50 Hz) and voluntary tensions. However, at 10 Hz maximal tetanic tension was reduced (p less than 0.05) from 604 +/- 104 to 422 +/- 142 N. During vertical jumping from a force platform, peak power output (W) was significantly (p less than 0.05) increased from 1,155 +/- 212 to 1,381 +/- 307 W after heating. The rise in W was due to a small increase in both take-off velocity and the exerted force, and was reflected in a 3-cm increase in the height jumped from the force platform. It is concluded that the contractile characteristics of elderly triceps surae can be modified by heating and a rise in Tm does effect a change in the capacity of the muscle to generate power.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

A comparison of the mechanical properties of the first dorsal interosseous in the dominant and non-dominant hand.

The electrically evoked and voluntary contractile properties of the first dorsal interosseous muscle were measured on both hands in 10 healthy adults. The force of abduction of the index finger interosseous muscle was measured using a transducer resting against the lateral side of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The mean values of time to peak tension measured on the dominant hands were significantly slower than the values on the non-dominant hands (P less than 0.01) in a paired t-test. Maximal tetanic tension, maximal voluntary contraction strength, and maximal twitch tension are not significantly different. Fatigue indices on the dominant hands in each subject were higher than those on the non-dominant hands. The correlation coefficient between fatigue indices on the dominant and the non-dominant hand was 0.92 (P less than 0.01).

Adult↗