Relationship between the slow component of oxygen uptake and the potential reduction in maximal power output during constant-load exercise.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the slow component of oxygen uptake (VO2) and muscle fiber fatigue. Maximal power output (MPO) was used as an index of muscle fiber fatigue.
METHODS: Two constant exercises were carried out at exercise intensities of 40% and 80% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Each exercise was repeated three times, once for the measurement for VO2, and the other two times for MPO testing, at 3 and 6 minutes after work output.
RESULTS: Reproducibility of MPO at rest was assessed by correlation coefficient. Its value was 0.933. At 40% VO2max, MPO did not significantly decrease from the resting value. At 80% VO2max, MPO significantly decreased by 129+/-77 watts at 3 min and by 178+/-108 watts at 6 min. The VO2 kinetic at 40% VO2 was well described by a monoexponential function with a time constant of 0.432 min. However, at 80% VO2max, a slow component of the form of a linear drift superimposed on a monoexponential function with an essentially equal time constant (0.469 min) was unambiguously detected. This slow component was significantly related to the decrease in MPO (r=0.567).
CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggested that the fatigue of muscle fibers may be one of the factors that produce the slow component of VO2 during high intensity exercise.