Sequencing patterns of ventilatory indices in less trained adults

Martin Pühringer; Susanne Ring-Dimitriou; Bernhard Iglseder; Vanessa Frey; Eugen Trinka; Bernhard Paulweber

doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.1066131

Sequencing patterns of ventilatory indices in less trained adults

Front Sports Act Living. 2023 Jan 23:4:1066131. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1066131. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Martin Pühringer¹, Susanne Ring-Dimitriou¹, Bernhard Iglseder², Vanessa Frey³, Eugen Trinka^{3

4}, Bernhard Paulweber⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
² Department of Geriatric Medicine, Christian-Doppler-Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
³ Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Affiliated Member of the European Reference Network EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria.
⁴ Neuroscience Institute, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.

Abstract

Submaximal ventilatory indices, i.e., point of optimal ventilatory efficiency (POE) and anaerobic threshold (AT), are valuable indicators to assess the metabolic and ventilatory response during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The order in which the ventilatory indices occur (ventilatory indices sequencing pattern, VISP), may yield additional information for the interpretation of CPET results and for exercise intensity prescription. Therefore, we determined whether different VISP groups concerning POE and AT exist. Additionally, we analysed fat metabolism via the exercise intensity eliciting the highest fat oxidation rate (Fat_max) as a possible explanation for differences between VISP groups. 761 less trained adults (41-68 years) completed an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer until volitional exhaustion. The ventilatory indices were determined using automatic and visual detection methods, and Fat_max was determined using indirect calorimetry. Our study identified two VISP groups with a lower work rate at POE compared to AT in VISP_{POE < AT} but not in group VISP_{POE = AT}. Therefore, training prescription based on POE rather than AT would result in different exercise intensity recommendations in 66% of the study participants and consequently in unintended physiological adaptions. VISP_{POE < AT} participants were not different to VISP_{POE = AT} participants concerning VO_2peak and Fat_max. However, participants exhibiting a difference in work rate (VISP_{POE < AT}) were characterized by a higher aerobic capacity at submaximal work rate compared to VISP_{POE = AT}. Thus, analysing VISP may help to gain new insights into the complex ventilatory and metabolic response to exercise. But a methodological framework still must be established.

Keywords: aerobic capacity; anaerobic threshold (AT); exercise physiology; exercise testing (CPET); fat oxidation; indirect calorimetry; point of optimal ventilatory efficiency (POE).