Frontiers in Physiology (Apr 2020)

The Acute Physiological Responses of Eccentric Cycling During the Recovery Periods of a High Intensity Concentric Cycling Interval Session

  • Amelia J. Harrison,
  • Amelia J. Harrison,
  • Catriona A. Burdon,
  • Catriona A. Burdon,
  • Herbert Groeller,
  • Herbert Groeller,
  • Gregory E. Peoples,
  • Gregory E. Peoples

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00336
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Eccentric and concentric exercise is associated with disparate acute and chronic responses. We uniquely interspersed workload equivalent eccentric cycling during each recovery period of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) cycling trial to determine acute cardiopulmonary, thermal and psycho-physiological responses. Twelve males [age 28 years (SD 6), peak oxygen consumption 48 mL ⋅ kg–1 ⋅ min–1 (SD 6)] completed two high intensity interval cycling trials [4 × 5 min, 60% peak power output (PPO)] separated by 7–10 days. The CONR trial required participants to cycle concentrically during each recovery period (5 min, 30% PPO). The ECCR trial modified the recovery to be eccentric cycling (5 min, 60% PPO). High intensity workload (CONR: 187 ± 17; ECCR: 187 ± 21 W), oxygen consumption (CONR: 2.55 ± 0.17; ECCR: 2.68 ± 0.20 L ⋅ min–1), heart rate (CONR: 165 ± 7; ECCR: 171 ± 10 beats ⋅ min–1) and RPE legs (CONR: 15 ± 3; ECCR: 15 ± 3) were equivalent between trials. Eccentric cycling recovery significantly increased external workload (CONR: 93 ± 18; ECCR: 196 ± 24 W, P < 0.01) yet lowered oxygen consumption (CONR: 1.51 ± 0.18; ECCR: 1.20 ± 0.20 L ⋅ min–1, P < 0.05) while heart rate (CONR: 132 ± 13; ECCR: 137 ± 12 beats ⋅ min–1) and RPE of the legs (CONR: 11 ± 7; ECCR: 12 ± 7) remained equivalent. There was no significant difference in the aural temperature between the trials (ECCR: 37.3 ± 0.1°C; CONR: 37.4 ± 0.1°C, P > 0.05), yet during recovery periods mean skin temperature was significantly elevated in the ECCR (ECCR: 33.9 ± 0.2°C; CONR: 33.3 ± 0.2°C, P < 0.05). Participants preferred ECCR (10/12) and rated the ECCR as more achievable (82.8 ± 11.4 mm) than CONR (79.4 ± 15.9 mm, P < 0.01). In conclusion, eccentric cycling during the recovery period of a HIIT training session, offers a novel approach to concurrent training methodology. The unique cardiopulmonary and skeletal muscle responses facilitate the achievement of both training stimuli within a single exercise bout.

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