ISSN:
1439-6327
Keywords:
Critical power
;
Ageing
;
Steady-state exercise
;
Anaerobic work capacity
;
Exhaustion time
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The critical power (CP) of a muscle group or individual may represent the highest rate of work which can be performed for an extended period. We investigated this concept in young (n = 13, 24.5 years) and elderly (n = 12, 70.7 years) active men by first determining CP and then comparing responses elicited by 24 min of cycle exercise at power outputs (ω) corresponding to CP. Values from the final 2 min of the 24-min ride were expressed relative to maximal values established in a ramp test. CP for the elderly was only 65% that for the young, but on a relative basis, it was significantly higher both in terms of ω (67 vs 62% of ωmax) and oxygen consumption ( $$\dot VO_2 $$ ) (91.5 vs 85.2% of maximum oxygen consumption). There were no group differences in relative values for ventilation ( $$\dot V_E $$ ), heart rate or respiratory exchange ratio (R). During the 24-min ride, $$\dot VO_2 $$ andR achieved a plateau in both groups, while $$\dot V_E $$ , blood lactate and arterialPCO2 continued to change in the young. It was concluded that CP can be determined in active elderly men, but that CP may not represent a true non-fatiguing work rate in either young or elderly men.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00717959
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