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EFFECTS OF REPEATED SPRINT TRAINING ON ISOCAPNIC BUFFERING PHASE IN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

EFEITOS DE TREINOS DE SPRINT REPETIDOS NA FAİXA DE TAMPONAMENTO İSOCÁPNİCO EM JOGADORES DE VOLEIBOL

EFECTOS DEL ENTRENAMIENTO DE SPRINT REPETIDO EN LA FASE DE TAMPONAMIENTO ISOCÁPNICO EN JUGADORES DE VOLEIBOL

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The region between the ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) is defined as the isocapnic buffering (ICB) phase and represents a phase of compensation for exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. There is sparse literature examining the effects of physical training on ICB phase in athletes.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a repeated sprint training program on the ICB phase of college volleyball players.

Methods:

Eighteen male volleyball players were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=9) or a control group (n=9) and followed a traditional volleyball training program three times per week for six weeks. The experimental group additionally performed a repeated sprint training protocol immediately before each volleyball training session. Before and after the 6-week training period, all participants performed an incremental treadmill test to determine VT, RCP, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The ICB phases were calculated as VO2 (ml/kg/min) and sprint speed (km/h).

Results:

The experimental group showed significant improvements in ICB phase, RCP, VO2max and maximal sprint speed after training (p<0.01). There were no significant changes in VT after training in the experimental group (p>0.05). None of these variables changed significantly in the control group (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that repeated sprint training can enhance the ICB phase of volleyball players, which may be attributable to an improvement in buffering capacity leading to a shift in RCP towards higher intensities without any change in VT. The increase in the ICB phase may an important factor in terms of improvement in the high-intensity exercise tolerance of athletes. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies - Investigating the results of treatment.

Keywords:
Oxygen consumption; Anaerobic threshold; Hyperventilation; Acidosis

RESUMO

Introdução:

a região entre o limiar ventilatório (VT) e o ponto de compensação respiratório (RCP) é definido como faixa de temporamento isocápnico (ICB) e representa a fase de compensação para a acidose metabólica induzida por exercício. Há escassa literatura examinando os efeitos do treinamento físico na fase ICB em atletas.

Objetivos:

o objetivo desse estudo foi examinar os efeitos do programa de treinamento de Srint repetido na fase ICB em jogadores universitários de voleibol.

Métodos:

dezoito jogadores homens de voleibol foram aleatoriamente designados para um grupo experimental (n=9) ou um grupo controle (n=9) e completaram um programa tradicional de treinamento de voleibol três vezes por semana, durante seis semanas. O grupo experimental, adicionalmente, realizou um protocolo de treinamento de sprint repetido imediatamente antes de cada sessão de treinamento de voleibol. Antes e após o período de treinamento de 6 semanas, todos os participantes realizaram um teste de esteira experimental para determinar VT, RCP e consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max). As fases ICB foram calculadas como VO2 (ml/kg/min) e velocidade de corrida (km/h).

Resultados:

o grupo experimental mostrou melhorias significativas na fase ICB, RCP, VO2max e velocidade de corrida máxima depois do treino (p < 0.01). Não houve mudanças significativas no VT após o treino no grupo experimental (p > 0.05). Nenhuma das variáveis mudou significativamente no grupo controle (p > 0.05).

Conclusões:

a partir desses resultados, concluímos que o treinamento de Sprint repetido pode realçar a fase ICB em jogadores de voleibol, que podem ser atribuídos à melhora do efeito tampão, levando ao deslocamento da RCP para intensidades mais altas, sem nenhuma mudança no VT. O aumento na fase ICB pode ser um fator importante em relação à melhora na tolerância ao exercício de alta intensidade em atletas. Nível de evidência II, Estudos terapêuticos – Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Descritores:
Consume de oxigênio; Liminar anaeróbio; Hiperventilação; Acidose

RESUMEN

Introducción:

la región comprendida entre el umbral de ventilación (UV) y el punto de compensación respiratoria (PCR) se define como la fase de amortiguación isocapnica (ICB) y representa una fase de compensación de la acidosis metabólica inducida por el ejercicio. Hay poca literatura que examine los efectos del entrenamiento físico en la fase ICB de los atletas.

Objetivos:

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar los efectos del programa de entrenamiento de sprints repetidos en la fase ICB de los jugadores de voleibol de la universidad.

Métodos:

Dieciocho jugadores de voleibol masculino fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo experimental (n=9) o un grupo de control (n=9) y completaron un programa tradicional de entrenamiento de voleibol, tres veces por semana durante 6 semanas. El grupo experimental también realizó un protocolo de entrenamiento de sprint repetido inmediatamente antes de cada sesión de entrenamiento de voleibol. Antes y después del período de entrenamiento de 6 semanas, todos los participantes realizaron una prueba incremental en cinta rodante para determinar UV, RCP y consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max). Las fases ICB se calcularon como VO2 (ml/kg/min) y velocidad (km/h).

Resultados:

El grupo experimental mostró mejoras significativas en la fase ICB, RCP, VO2max y velocidad de carrera máxima post entrenamiento (p < 0.01). No hubo cambios significativos en UV después del entrenamiento en el grupo experimental (p > 0.05). Ninguna de estas variables cambió significativamente en el grupo control (p > 0.05).

Conclusiones:

A partir de estos resultados, concluimos que el entrenamiento de sprints repetidos puede mejorar la fase ICB de los jugadores de voleibol, lo que puede atribuirse a la mejora de la capacidad de amortiguación que lleva al cambio de RCP a intensidades más altas sin ningún cambio en el UV. El aumento en la fase ICB puede ser un factor importante en relación con la mejora en la tolerancia al ejercicio de alta intensidad en atletas. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigando resultados del tratamiento.

Palabras Clave:
Consumo de oxígeno; Umbral anaeróbico; Hiperventilación; Acidosis

INTRODUCTION

During incremental exercise, anaerobic threshold (AT) can be determined from non-invasive gas exchange measurements alternative to the measurements of blood lactate concentration, in this case referred to as the ventilatory threshold (VT).11. Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting the anaerobic threshold by gas exchange. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1986;60(6):2020-7. VT corresponds to the nonlinear increase in carbon dioxide production and ventilation due to the bicarbonate buffering of hydrogen ions (H+) in response to the systematic increase of blood lactate above resting values.22. Wasserman K. The anaerobic threshold measurement to evaluate exercise performance. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;129(2 Pt):35-40. When H+ can no longer be compensated by circulating bicarbonate leads to a decrease in blood pH and stimulates the carotid bodies to increase ventilatory drive results in hyperventilation.22. Wasserman K. The anaerobic threshold measurement to evaluate exercise performance. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;129(2 Pt):35-40. This additional ventilatory response is called the respiratory compensation point (RCP).33. Meyer T, Faude O, Scharhag J, Urhausen A, Kindermann W. Is lactic acidosis a cause of exercise induced hyperventilation at the respiratory compensation point? Br J Sports Med. 2004;38(5):622-5. The region between AT and RC is defined as isocapnic buffering (ICB) phase.44. Whipp BJ, Davis JA, Wasserman K. Ventilatory control of the ‘isocapnic buffering’ region in rapidly-incremental exercise. Respir Physiol. 1989;76(3):357-67. The region between RCP and the end of exercise is defined as the phase of hypocapnic hyperventilation (HHV).55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5.,66. Oshima Y, Miyamoto T, Tanaka S, Wadazumi T, Kurihara N, Fujimoto S. Relationship between isocapnic buffering and maximal aerobic capacity in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;76(5):409-14.

A few researchers investigated effects of physical training on ICB phase in the endurance athletes, however, showed different results.55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5.,77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. Consistent with many studies,88. Bravo DF, Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, Castagna C, Bishop D, Wisloff U. Sprint vs. interval training in football. Int J Sports Med. 2008;29(8):668-74.,99. Farzad BR, Gharakhanlou H, Agha-Alinejad DG, Curby M, Bayati M, Bahraminejad M, et al. Physiological and performance changes from the addition of a sprint-interval program to wrestling training. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(9):2392-9. we recently reported that the addition of a repeated sprint training (RST) program to normal volleyball training sessions can improve both the VO2max and high-intensity intermittent exercise performance of college volleyball players.1010. Kaynak K, Korkmaz Eryılmaz S, Aydoğan S, Mihailov D. The effects of 20-m repeated sprint training on aerobic capacity in college volleyball players. Biomed Hum Kinetics. 2017;9(1):43-50. However, to our knowledge, there is no previous study examining the effects of RST on the ICB phase during incremental exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a RST program on the ICB phase during incremental exercise in college volleyball players.

METHODS

Eighteen male volleyball players competing in Division I of the Turkish University League volunteered to participate in the study. All of the subjects were members of the Erciyes University volleyball team. All players had trained and competed regularly in volleyball for at least 4 years. The Erciyes University Ethics Committee approved the study (2016/651). All testing and training procedures were fully explained, and written informed consent was obtained for each subject. During the study, the players were not allowed to perform any additional conditioning training that would affect the results of the study.

The experimental protocol consisted of baseline testing, a 6-week training intervention, and post-testing. After baseline testing, 18 volleyball players were randomly divided into two equal groups: the experimental (EXG; mean ± SD; age 21.2 ± 1.3 years, height 183.4 ± 5.4 cm, weight 71.1 ± 7.3 kg) and control groups (CG; age 21.2 ± 1.6 years, height 184 ± 4.4 cm, weight 75.7 ± 8.5 kg). Both groups followed a traditional volleyball training program three times per week for 6 weeks. All training sessions in both groups were conducted at the same time of day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each consecutive week. The experimental group additionally performed RST prior to their normal volleyball training sessions.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), VT and RCP were determined from a progressive intensity and continuous effort treadmill protocol. All tests were performed on a motorized treadmill (h/p/Cosmos Quasar med, Nussdorf-Traunstein, Germany). VO2, VCO2 and VE were measured online using a breath-by-breath cardiopulmonary exercise testing system (Quark PFT Ergo, CosmedSrl, Rome, Italy). Breath-by-breath data was smoothed using a five-step average filter and then reduced to 15 s stationary averages.

Players started running at 7 km/h with speed increments of 1 km/h every minute until they could no longer keep pace. The VO2max was defined as the highest 15 s VO2 value reached during the incremental test and expressed as a relative value (milliliters per minute per body mass; ml/kg/min). Achievement of VO2max was considered as the attainment of at least two of the following criteria: 1) a plateau in VO2 despite increasing speed, 2) a respiratory exchange ratio (VCO2/VO2) above 1.10, and 3) a HR (heart rate) within 10 beats per minute of age-predicted maximum HR (220 – age). Time to exhaustion was recorded as the time from the start of the run until the point of exhaustion. Maximal respiratory exchange ratio (RERmax) was express as the highest 15 s average value obtained during the last stage of the incremental exercise test.

The VT and RCP were determined using the V-slope method described by Beaver et al.11. Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting the anaerobic threshold by gas exchange. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1986;60(6):2020-7. The VT and RCP were defined as the VO2 value corresponding to the intersection of two linear regression lines derived separately from the data points below and above the breakpoint in the VCO2 versus VO2, and VE versus VCO2 relationships, respectively (Figure 1). Additionally, to increase the accuracy of the identification of VT and RCP, a visual identification technique was used as described below. VT was determined using the criteria of an increase in VE/VO2 with no increase in VE/VCO2 and an increase in end-tidal O2 pressure with no fall in end-tidal CO2 pressure, whereas RCP corresponded to an increase in VE/VCO2 and decrease in end-tidal CO2 pressure. To reduce the variability connected with the identification of VT and RCP, analyses were performed by two independent investigators. If there was disagreement, the opinion of a third investigator was sought. Each of the following variables was recorded at both the VT and the RC; running speed (km/h), VO2 (ml/kg/min) and VO2 as a percentage of VO2max (%VO2max). Linear regression analyses were performed by using the Sigma Plot program (Sigma Plot 12.0, Systat Software Inc., Chicago, USA).

Figure 1
Examples showing methods of determining the ventilatory threshold (A) and the respiratory compensation point (B) in one subject.

ICB phase was calculated as the difference in VO2 (ICBVO2) and running speed (ICBSPEED) between RCP and VT,77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. and expressed in either absolute or relative values (expressed as a percentage of RCP previously described by Rocker et al.).1111. Röcker K, Striegel H, Freund T, Dickhuth HH. Relative functional buffering capacity in 400-meter runners, long-distance runners and untrained individuals. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;68(5):430-4. HHV phase was calculated as the difference in VO2 (HHVVO2) and running speed (HHVSPEED) between the end of exercise and RCP,77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. and expressed in either absolute or relative values (expressed as a percentage of VO2max and maximal running speed).

During the six-week training period, the players in both groups continued their regular volleyball training program. Volleyball training for the development of technical and tactical skills was the same in both groups. The main part of the volleyball session included serving, passing, and setting in small groups, blocking and spiking technique, small-sided games to work on offensive and defensive strategies, and individual tactics.

The RST was performed three times per week immediately before the volleyball training session.1010. Kaynak K, Korkmaz Eryılmaz S, Aydoğan S, Mihailov D. The effects of 20-m repeated sprint training on aerobic capacity in college volleyball players. Biomed Hum Kinetics. 2017;9(1):43-50. Details of the weekly RST program are given in Table 1. The RST consisted of 1–3 sets of 3–5 × 20-m maximal sprints with 20 s of active recovery between sprints and 4 min of passive recovery between sets. Each sprint represents a maximal effort with 20 s allowed between each sprint for the turnaround. The recovery time was controlled by a hand-held stopwatch. Training volume was progressively increased over 6 weeks.

Table 1
The 6 weeks of RST program, showing the number of sets and repetitions for each session.

Statistical analysis

Data are reported as means ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was accepted at p< 0.05. The normality of the data was examined by assessing the Shapiro-Wilk test on all measured variables. The differences in all baseline measures between EXG and CG were evaluated by the unpaired t-test for normally distributed data, and Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed data. Within-group changes before and after the 6-week training period was compared using paired t-test for normally distributed data, and Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank test for non-normally distributed data.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups for age, height, body mass and the baseline physiological variables (p> 0.05, Table 2). After the training period maximal running speed, the time to exhaustion, VO2max and RERmax during the incremental treadmill test were increased in the EXG (p< 0.01, Table 2). There were no significant changes in values of VO2 and running speeds corresponding to VT, and VT expressed as %VO2max after training in the experimental group (p> 0.05). The EXG showed a significant increase in values of VO2 and running speeds corresponding to RCP, and RCP expressed as %VO2max after training (p< 0.01). Both absolute and relative values of ICBVO2 and ICBSPEED were significantly increased in the EXG after training (p< 0.01). The both absolute and relative HHVVO2 were significantly reduced in the EXG (p< 0.05), while the absolute and relative HHVSPEED were unchanged after 6-week training (p> 0.05). None of these variables were significantly changed in the CG (p> 0.05).

Table 2
Physiological variables corresponding to the ventilator threshold, respiratory compensation point, maximal values, isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases of the experimental and control groups baseline and after the 6 weeks training period.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study indicated that the RST program led to a significant improvement in ICB phase, RCP and VO2max in the EXG while no change occurred in the VT. None of these variables were significantly changed in the CG after the training program, suggesting that volleyball training alone may not suffice for the improvement of buffering capacity. Our findings suggest that RST might have been improved the buffering capacity leading to a shift of RCP to higher intensities and improve high-intensity exercise tolerance, and consequently enhancing the ICB phase.

No significant change was observed in the VT of the EXG, whereas improved in RCP and VO2max. Consistent with our results, previous studies have shown that no significant change in AT after maximal sprint interval training, whereas improve in VO2max.1212. Bailey SJ, Wilkerson DP, DiMenna FJ, Jones AM. Influence of repeated sprint training on pulmonary O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009;106(6):1875-87.,1313. Esfarjani F, Laursen PB. Manipulating high-intensity interval training: Effects on ˙VO2max, the lactate threshold and 3000m running performance in moderately trained males. J Sci Med Sport. 2007;10(1):27-35. In contrast, some studies have demonstrated that AT may improve without changes in VO2max after the endurance training1414. Fouquet R, Poty P. Effect of 40 weeks of endurance training on anaerobic threshold. Int J Sports Med. 1982;3(4):208-14. and over the football season.1515. Edwards AM, Clark N, Macfadyen AM. Lactate and ventilatory thresholds reflect the training status of professional soccer players where maximum aerobic power is unchanged. J Sports Sci Med. 2003;2(1):23-9. Although both VO2max and AT are the most important physiological variables associated with aerobic performance, the two variables appear to have different physiological mechanisms. It has been suggested that lower intensity training at slightly below AT improves AT and induces mainly central adaptations such as improvements in pulmonary diffusion, hemoglobin affinity, and increases in cardiac output.1616. Docherty D, Sporer B. A proposed model for examining the interference phenomenon between concurrent aerobic and strength training. Sports Med. 2000;30(6):385-94. On the other hand, higher intensity training at VO2max induces mainly peripheral adaptations, which provide the improvement of VO2max, such as increases in oxidative enzyme activity, mitochondrial volume and density, and myoglobin.1616. Docherty D, Sporer B. A proposed model for examining the interference phenomenon between concurrent aerobic and strength training. Sports Med. 2000;30(6):385-94. It has been shown that sprint interval training induces specific metabolic adaptations leading to increase in VO2max.1717. Burgomaster KA, Howarth KR, Phillips SM, Rakobowchuk M, MacDonald MJ, McGee SL, el al. Similar metabolic adaptations during exercise after low volume sprint interval and traditional endurance training in humans. J Physiol. 2008;586(1):151-60. Our findings suggest that RST can be effective in enhancing VO2max but not VT; this may have been due to the maximal intensity of the training sessions.

Our findings demonstrate that the repeated sprint training represents an effective means of increasing RC rather than VT. Oshima at al.77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. has shown that endurance training above the AT more effective in increasing the RCP than in increasing VT. The longer ICB phase observed in EXG after training may associate with shift of RCP to higher intensities. RST sessions might have been improved the buffering capacity leading to a shift in RCP. It has been suggested that the individual difference in RCP depends partly on the chemosensitivity of the carotid bodies and the rate of lactic acid increase during exercise.1818. Takano N. Respiratory compensation point during incremental exercise as related to hypoxic ventilator chemosensitivity and lactate increase in man. Jpn J Physiol. 2000;50(4):449-55. The higher RCP and therefore longer ICB phase recorded after training in EXG which may be due to lower sensitivity of carotid bodies to acute metabolic acidosis.1919. Hirakoba K, Yunoki T. Blood lactate changes during isocapnic buffering in sprinters and long distance runners. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002;21(3):143-9. Regular physical training may reduce the chemosensitivity of the carotid bodies. Miyachi and Katamaya2020. Miyachi M, Katayama K. Effects of maximal interval training on arterial oxygen desaturation and ventilation during heavy exercise. Jpn J Physiol. 1999;49(5):401-7. reported that high intensity interval training result in less hyperventilation during heavy exercise, which may be partly associated to adaptations in ventilator chemoresponses. On the other hand, in our study, the increase in maximal running speed and running time to exhaustion without changes in running speed corresponding to VT after training may demonstrates that improved high-intensity exercise tolerance and the buffering capacity. The EXG was able to continue to exercise for longer periods of time above the VT during the incremental treadmill test after training.

In the EXG, the higher RERmax recorded after the RST, which may have been due to the longer exercise time above the VT. Although we could not directly measure blood lactate levels, the increase in RERmax may reflect a greater accumulation of lactate after the RST.2121. Stringer W, Wasserman K, Casaburi R. The VCO2/VO2 relationship during heavy, constant work rate exercise reflects the rate of lactic acid accumulation. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1995;72(1):25-31. It has been shown that the sprint training led to a greater accumulation of lactate both in the muscle and blood during exhaustive exercise.2222. Sharp RL, Costill DL, Fink WJ, King DS. Effects of eight weeks of bicycle ergometer sprint training on human muscle buffer capacity. Int J Sports Med. 1986;7(1):13-7.,2323. Mohr M, Krustrup P, Nielsen JJ, Nybo L, Rasmussen MK, Juel C, et al. Effect of two different intense training regimens on skeletal muscle ion transport proteins and fatigue development. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007;292(4):1594-1602. These higher lactate concentrations after sprint training may be explained by the increase of the muscle buffer capacity and glycolytic enzymes.2222. Sharp RL, Costill DL, Fink WJ, King DS. Effects of eight weeks of bicycle ergometer sprint training on human muscle buffer capacity. Int J Sports Med. 1986;7(1):13-7.,2323. Mohr M, Krustrup P, Nielsen JJ, Nybo L, Rasmussen MK, Juel C, et al. Effect of two different intense training regimens on skeletal muscle ion transport proteins and fatigue development. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007;292(4):1594-1602. A large accumulation of lactate and H+ during high intensity exercise may provide an important stimulus for adaptations of the muscle pH regulating systems.2424. Bishop D, Girard O, Mendez-Villanueva A. Repeated-Sprint Ability Part II: Recommendations for Training. Sports Med. 2011;41(9):741-56.,2525. Edge J, Bishop D, Goodman C. The effects of training intensity on muscle buffer capacity in females. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006;96(1):97-105.

It has been shown that athletes with high VO2max have longer ICB phase than athletes with low VO2max.66. Oshima Y, Miyamoto T, Tanaka S, Wadazumi T, Kurihara N, Fujimoto S. Relationship between isocapnic buffering and maximal aerobic capacity in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;76(5):409-14. On the other hand, recently it has been shown that the relative ICB phase can be useful for predict both the aerobic and anaerobic capacity in the athletes.2626. Hasanli M, Nikooie R, Aveseh M, Mohammad F. Prediction of aerobic and anaerobic capacities of elite cyclists from changes in lactate during isocapnic buffering phase. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(2):321-9. The studies that address ICB phase in relation to physical training are scarce.55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5.,77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52.,2727. Lenti M, De Vito G, Scottodi Palumbo A, Sbriccoli P, Quattrini FM, Sacchetti M. Effects of aging and training status on ventilatory response during incremental cycling exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(5):1326-32. The increase in ICB phase with concomitant improvement in aerobic capacity after RST in the present study is consistent with the findings of Oshima at al.77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. These authors have reported the absolute ICB phase in runners significantly increased after endurance training above the AT.77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. They observed that the increase in the RCP is larger than that of VT after 6-month training period. In contrast, Chicharro at al.55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5. have reported that both the absolute and relative ICB phase and VO2max in professional cyclists remained unchanged throughout the season despite a considerable increase in training loads. Several studies have shown that the longer relative ICB phase in sprint-trained athletes than in endurance athletes.1111. Röcker K, Striegel H, Freund T, Dickhuth HH. Relative functional buffering capacity in 400-meter runners, long-distance runners and untrained individuals. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;68(5):430-4.,1919. Hirakoba K, Yunoki T. Blood lactate changes during isocapnic buffering in sprinters and long distance runners. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci. 2002;21(3):143-9.,2626. Hasanli M, Nikooie R, Aveseh M, Mohammad F. Prediction of aerobic and anaerobic capacities of elite cyclists from changes in lactate during isocapnic buffering phase. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(2):321-9. According to Chicharro at al.,55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5. intense training sessions involving anaerobic metabolism improves the buffering capacity leading to a shift in RCP towards higher intensities, and consequently extending the ICB phase. On the other hand, training sessions involving aerobic metabolism may induces a similar shift in both VT and RCP.55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5. Therefore, it appears that effect of the high intensity training sessions RC may greater than AT. During the ICB phase, more H+ has been reported buffered by the non-bicarbonate buffer system in sprint-trained cyclists than in endurance cyclists.2626. Hasanli M, Nikooie R, Aveseh M, Mohammad F. Prediction of aerobic and anaerobic capacities of elite cyclists from changes in lactate during isocapnic buffering phase. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(2):321-9. Sprint training has been reported to increase the muscle buffer capacity, whereas endurance training had no effect.2222. Sharp RL, Costill DL, Fink WJ, King DS. Effects of eight weeks of bicycle ergometer sprint training on human muscle buffer capacity. Int J Sports Med. 1986;7(1):13-7. We used a training program based on RST.2828. Buchheit M, Laursen PB. High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle: Part 1: cardiopulmonary emphasis. Sports Med. 2013;43(5):313-38. Likely, the incomplete recoveries which characterize RST contribute to the aerobic adaptation of the muscle.2929. Barnett C, Carey M, Proietto J, Cerin E, Febbraio MA, Jenkins D. Muscle metabolism during sprint exercise in man: influence of sprint training. J Sci Med Sport. 2004;7(3):314-22. It is, therefore, possible that, the increase in ICB phase noted in this study could be the result of the enhanced both bicarbonate and non-bicarbonate buffering capacity.

The HHV phase reduced significantly in the EXG after RST when expressed as VO2, but not as running speed. Chicharro at al.55. Chicharrro J, Hoyos J, Lucia A. Effects of endurance training on the isocapnic buffering and hypocapnic hyperventilation phases in Professional cyclists. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(6):450-5. have shown that the increase in RCP leading to a shortening of the HHV phase over the season whereas remained unchanged in VO2max. In contrast, Oshima at al.77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52. have been reported that no significant change in the HHV phase after training, whereas improved in ICB phase, RCP and VO2max. Many studies have shown that the HHV phase is not correlated with VO2max.66. Oshima Y, Miyamoto T, Tanaka S, Wadazumi T, Kurihara N, Fujimoto S. Relationship between isocapnic buffering and maximal aerobic capacity in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;76(5):409-14.,2727. Lenti M, De Vito G, Scottodi Palumbo A, Sbriccoli P, Quattrini FM, Sacchetti M. Effects of aging and training status on ventilatory response during incremental cycling exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(5):1326-32. Thus it seems likely that the HHV phase is not related to exercise capacity.77. Oshima Y, Tanaka S, Miyamoto T. Effects of endurance training above the anaerobic threshold on isocapnic buffering phase during incremental exercise in middle-distance runners. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1998;47(1):43-52.,3030. Bentley DJ, Vleck VE, Millet GP. The isocapnic buffering phase and mechanical efficiency: Relationship to cycle time trial performance of short and long duration. Can J Appl Physiol. 2005;30(1):46-60.

CONCLUSION

From these results, we conclude that repeated sprint training can enhance the ICB phase of volleyball players which may be attributable to improve of the buffering capacity leading to shift of RCP to higher intensities without any change in VT. The increase in the ICB phase may an important factor in relation to the improvement in the high-intensity exercise tolerance in athletes.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jul-Aug 2018

History

  • Received
    27 Sept 2017
  • Accepted
    19 Mar 2018
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