THE MAIN ENERGETIC PATHWAY (AEROBIC OR ANAEROBIC) DURING AN EXERCISE PERFORMED ABOVE THE LACTATE TRESHOLD IN CICLOERGOMETER

Abstract

Introduction: Data concerning the main energetic pathway during exercises performed above lactate threshold are still conflicting. This study was designed to evaluate the main energetic pathway employed during exercise performed above lactate threshold in cycloergometer. Methods: Nine heatlh men, (age 25.67 ± 4.06 years; body mass 72.93 ± 9.04 kg; high 175.33 ± 5.07 m; body fat percentual 13.38 ± 3.89 % and VO2 peak 42.72 ± 6.36 mlO2/kg/min), were submited to three experimental situations: they exercised at 90%, 95% and 120% of maximum power achieved at Balke test, until voluntary fatigue. Exercises were performed within 48 hours interval. During experimental situations the following parameters were monitored to evaluate the main energetic pathway employed during exercise: serum lactate levels, cardiac frequency, the higher VO2 observed during the test and the total exercise duration. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance One-Way with repeated measures (p  0,05) and Tukey Post Hoc Test     (p  0,05). Results: No difference was observed for post-exercise serum lactate blood, maximum cardicac frequency, VO2 peak and in the highest VO2 throughout each situation  (p>0.05). However imposed cargo to each experimental situation was significant different (p<0.05), as well as total exercise duration  (90% = 8.53, 95% = 5.92 e 120% = 2.62 minutes) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on data reported it can be concluded that for the exercises performed above lactate treshold are mainly aerobic, considering the duration superior to 2 minutes. It can be suggested that lactate inflexion point could not be the most appropriate parameter to determine the predominance of the lactic aerobic pathway as the energy supply to exercise.