Biomedical subjects

Jos J De Koning

Publications and source records attributed to Jos J De Koning.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Pacing strategy and the occurrence of fatigue in 4000-m cycling time trials.

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to examine the role of central and peripheral fatigue on 4000-m cycling time trial performance by comparing changes in power output and integrated electromyography (iEMG) in differently paced maximal efforts. METHODS: Eight well-trained men performed three randomly ordered time trials with different pacing strategies, in which the first 2000 m were manipulated to evoke an increasing, even, and decreasing power output profile (SUB, EVEN, and SUPRA, respectively). Subjects were instructed to finish the last 2000 m of all trials in the shortest time possible. iEMG of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscle, mechanical power output, and gas exchange variables were measured. Anaerobic and aerobic contributions to mechanical power output were calculated from gas exchange data. RESULTS: The increase in mechanical power output during the SUB time trials was always associated with an increase in iEMG in all muscles. A decrease in mechanical power output near the end of the time trials was also marked by an increase in iEMG for all muscles, except for the RF. Comparing the last 2000-m interval with the first, aerobic power output increased for all strategies. Anaerobic power output increased in SUB and decreased in EVEN and SUPRA. CONCLUSION: The relationship between iEMG and mechanical power output pattern was consistent with peripheral fatigue rather than central downregulation of mechanical power output. Specifically, anaerobic energy resources seem to be important in regulating pacing strategy.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Effect of warm-up on cycle time trial performance.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the effect of warm-up on 3-km cycling time trial (TT) performance, and the influence of accelerated VO(2) kinetics on such effect. METHODS: Eight well-trained road cyclists, habituated to 3-km time trials, performed randomly ordered 3-km TT after a) no warm-up (NWU), b) easy warm-up (EWU) (15 min comprised of 5-min segments at 70, 80, and 90% of ventilatory threshold (VT) followed by 2 min of rest), or c) hard warm-up (HWU) (15 min comprised of 5-min segments at 70, 80, and 90% VT, plus 3 min at the respiratory compensation threshold (RCT) followed by 6 min of rest). VO(2) and power output (SRM), aerobic and anaerobic energy contributions, and VO(2) kinetics (mean response time to 63% of the VO(2) observed at 2 km) were determined throughout each TT. RESULTS: Three-kilometer TT performance was (P < 0.05) improved for both EWU (266.8 +/- 12.0 s) (-2.8%) and HWU (267.3 +/- 10.4 s) (-2.6%) versus NWU (274.4 +/- 12.1 s). The gain in performance was predominantly during the first 1000 m in both EWU (48% of gain) and HWU (53% of gain). This reflected a higher power output during the first 1000 m in both EWU (384 W) and HWU warm-up (386 W) versus NWU (344 W) trials. The mean response time was faster in both EWU (45 +/- 10 s) and HWU (41 +/- 12 s) versus NWU (52 +/- 13 s) trials. There were no differences in anaerobic power output during the trials, but aerobic power output during the first 1000 m was larger during both EWU (203 W) and HWU (208 W) versus NWU (163 W) trials. CONCLUSIONS: During endurance events of intermediate duration (4-5 min), performance is enhanced by warm-up irrespective of warm-up intensity. The improved performance is related to an acceleration of VO(2) kinetics.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Pattern of energy expenditure during simulated competition.

PURPOSE: To determine how athletes spontaneously use their energetic reserves when the only instruction was to finish in minimal time, and whether experience from repeated performance changes the strategy of recreational athletes. METHODS: Recreational road cyclists/speed skaters (N = 9) completed three laboratory time trials of 1500 m on a windload braked cycle. The pattern of energy use was calculated from total work and from the work attributable to aerobic metabolism, which allowed computation of anaerobic energy use. Regional level speed skaters (N = 8) also performed a single 1500-m time trial with the same protocol and measurements. RESULTS: The serial trials were completed in (mean +/- SD) 133.8 +/- 6.6, 133.9 +/- 5.8, 133.8 +/- 5.5 s (P > 0.05 among trials); and in 125.7 +/- 10.9 s in the skaters (P < 0.05 vs cyclists). The [OV0312]O(2peak) during the terminal 200 m was similar within trials (3.23 +/- 0.44, 3.34 +/- 0.44, 3.30 +/- 0.51 (P > 0.05)) versus 3.91 +/- 0.68 L.min-1 in the skaters (P < 0.05 vs cyclists). In all events, the initial power output and anaerobic energy use was high and decayed to a more or less constant value ( approximately 25% of peak) over the remainder of the event. Contrary to predictions based on an assumed "all out" starting strategy, the subjects reserved some of their ability to perform anaerobic work for a terminal acceleration. The total work accomplished was not different between trials (43.53, 43.78, and 47.48 kJ in the recreational athletes, or between the cyclists and skaters (47.79 kJ). The work attributable to anaerobic sources was not different between the rides (20.67, 20.53, and 21.12 kJ in the recreational athletes). In the skaters, the work attributable to anaerobic sources was significantly larger versus the cyclists (24.67 kJ). CONCLUSION: Energy expenditure during high-intensity cycling seems: 1) to be expended in a manner that allows the athlete to preserve an anaerobic energetic contribution throughout an event, 2) does not appear to have a large learning effect in already well trained cyclists, and 3) anaerobic energy expenditure may be the performance discriminating factor among groups of athletes.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The effects of klapskate hinge position on push-off performance: a simulation study.

PURPOSE: The introduction of the klapskate in speed skating confronts skaters with the question of how to adjust the position of the hinge in order to maximize performance. The purpose of this study was to reveal the constraint that klapskate hinge position imposes on push-off performance in speed skating. METHOD: For this purpose, a model of the musculoskeletal system was designed to simulate a simplified, two-dimensional skating push off. To capture the essence of a skating push off, this model performed a one-leg vertical jump, from a frictionless surface, while keeping its trunk horizontally. In this model, klapskate hinge position was varied by varying the length of the foot segment between 115 and 300 mm. With each foot length, an optimal control solution was found that resulted in the maximal amount of vertical kinetic and potential energy of the body's center of mass at take off (Weff). RESULTS: Foot length was shown to considerably affect push-off performance. Maximal Weff was obtained with a foot length of 185 mm and decreased by approximately 25% at either foot length of 115 mm and 300 mm. The reason for this decrease was that foot length affected the onset and control of foot rotation. This resulted in a distortion of the pattern of leg segment rotations and affected muscle work (Wmus) and the efficacy ratio (Weff/Wmus) of the entire leg system. CONCLUSION: Despite its simplicity, the model very well described and explained the effects of klapskate hinge position on push off performance that have been observed in speed-skating experiments. The simplicity of the model, however, does not allow quantitative analyses of optimal klapskate hinge position for speed-skating practice.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗