Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands

<b>Background:</b> Research into key performance factors in trail running, particularly in vertical kilometer (VK) races, is crucial for effective training and periodization. However, recent studies on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during VK races, especially using field test...

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Main Authors: Pablo Jesús Bascuas, Héctor Gutiérrez, Eduardo Piedrafita, Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero, César Berzosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/230
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author Pablo Jesús Bascuas
Héctor Gutiérrez
Eduardo Piedrafita
Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero
César Berzosa
author_facet Pablo Jesús Bascuas
Héctor Gutiérrez
Eduardo Piedrafita
Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero
César Berzosa
author_sort Pablo Jesús Bascuas
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Research into key performance factors in trail running, particularly in vertical kilometer (VK) races, is crucial for effective training and periodization. However, recent studies on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during VK races, especially using field tests, are limited. <b>Objectives:</b> Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during a VK field test, identifying differences based on sex and performance level, as well as key performance factors and their deterioration due to fatigue. Fifteen trained trail runners (ten males and five females, 19 to 38 years old) perform a VK race. <b>Methods:</b> The global physiological response is evaluated using the portable gas analyzer Cosmed K5 and the local response using near-infrared spectroscopy technology. <b>Results</b>: In gender comparisons, the ANCOVA test shows significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the ventilation, tidal volume, expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio, inspiratory flow rate, end-tidal CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure, heart rate, oxygen pulse, and total hemoglobin. Additionally, the performance comparison reveals significant differences in the variables’ velocity, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, ventilation, dead space-to-tidal volume ratio, total time of the breathing cycle, expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio, inspiratory duty cycle, expiratory fractions of CO<sub>2</sub>, quadriceps saturation index, and VE/VCO<sub>2</sub> ratio. Finally, the correlation analysis shows oxygen consumption (r = −0.80 mean; r = −0.72 peak), carbon dioxide production (r = −0.91 mean; r = −0.75 peak), expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio (r = 0.68 peak), ventilation (r = −0.58 mean), and quadriceps saturation index (r = 0.54 mean; r = −0.76 coefficient of variation) as the key performance factors in the VK race. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the physiological analysis indicates the importance of local muscular adaptations and respiratory system capacity in this type of short-duration race.
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spelling doaj-art-a2b932b9857f4bdfb6e39e9d0827661b2024-12-27T14:32:20ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422024-11-019423010.3390/jfmk9040230Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle DemandsPablo Jesús Bascuas0Héctor Gutiérrez1Eduardo Piedrafita2Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero3César Berzosa4Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Autov. A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca, KM 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Autov. A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca, KM 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Autov. A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca, KM 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Autov. A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca, KM 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, Autov. A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca, KM 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain<b>Background:</b> Research into key performance factors in trail running, particularly in vertical kilometer (VK) races, is crucial for effective training and periodization. However, recent studies on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during VK races, especially using field tests, are limited. <b>Objectives:</b> Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during a VK field test, identifying differences based on sex and performance level, as well as key performance factors and their deterioration due to fatigue. Fifteen trained trail runners (ten males and five females, 19 to 38 years old) perform a VK race. <b>Methods:</b> The global physiological response is evaluated using the portable gas analyzer Cosmed K5 and the local response using near-infrared spectroscopy technology. <b>Results</b>: In gender comparisons, the ANCOVA test shows significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the ventilation, tidal volume, expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio, inspiratory flow rate, end-tidal CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure, heart rate, oxygen pulse, and total hemoglobin. Additionally, the performance comparison reveals significant differences in the variables’ velocity, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, ventilation, dead space-to-tidal volume ratio, total time of the breathing cycle, expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio, inspiratory duty cycle, expiratory fractions of CO<sub>2</sub>, quadriceps saturation index, and VE/VCO<sub>2</sub> ratio. Finally, the correlation analysis shows oxygen consumption (r = −0.80 mean; r = −0.72 peak), carbon dioxide production (r = −0.91 mean; r = −0.75 peak), expiratory time-to-inspiratory time ratio (r = 0.68 peak), ventilation (r = −0.58 mean), and quadriceps saturation index (r = 0.54 mean; r = −0.76 coefficient of variation) as the key performance factors in the VK race. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the physiological analysis indicates the importance of local muscular adaptations and respiratory system capacity in this type of short-duration race.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/230field testsphysiological assessmentsport performanceportable devicestrail running
spellingShingle Pablo Jesús Bascuas
Héctor Gutiérrez
Eduardo Piedrafita
Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero
César Berzosa
Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
field tests
physiological assessment
sport performance
portable devices
trail running
title Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
title_full Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
title_fullStr Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
title_full_unstemmed Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
title_short Study of Physiological Adaptations in Vertical Kilometer Runners: Focus on Cardiorespiratory and Local Muscle Demands
title_sort study of physiological adaptations in vertical kilometer runners focus on cardiorespiratory and local muscle demands
topic field tests
physiological assessment
sport performance
portable devices
trail running
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/230
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AT eduardopiedrafita studyofphysiologicaladaptationsinverticalkilometerrunnersfocusoncardiorespiratoryandlocalmuscledemands
AT anavanessabatallercervero studyofphysiologicaladaptationsinverticalkilometerrunnersfocusoncardiorespiratoryandlocalmuscledemands
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