The amplitude of the slow component of oxygen uptake is related to muscle contractile properties

During constant-load exercise above the lactate threshold, oxygen-uptake kinetics deviate from the pattern seen below the threshold, with an additional, delayed component superimposed on the monoexponential pattern. It was hypothesised that this slow component is due to the progressive recruitment of type II muscle fibres. Oxygen uptake was measured for six male power athletes (group P) and six male endurance athletes (group E) during constant-load knee extension exercise tests in order to determine slow component amplitude. In addition, an electrical stimulation protocol was employed in order to assess the functional contractile profile and fatiguability of the knee extensors. The amplitude of the slow component during exercise was significantly (P<0.05) greater in group P than in group E when expressed as an absolute value [mean (SEM)=77 (17) ml min⁻¹ and 24 (16) ml min⁻¹] and when normalised to end-exercise oxygen uptake,V̇O₂ [8.2 (0.5)% and 2.6 (1.8)%]. Group differences were observed for percentage force loss during the electrical stimulation protocol [50.0 (3.4)% and 31.5 (3.7)% for groups P and E, respectively], increase in relaxation time from start to end of the fatigue test [87.9 (15.5)% and 31.1 (11.9)%], and relaxation time for fresh muscle [32.4 (1.0) ms and 40.6 (2.1) ms]. These contractile parameters may indicate a higher proportion of type II fibres in group P compared with group E. These experiments have shown evidence of a relationship between the amplitude of the slow component and muscle contractile properties, indicating that the origin of the slow component may lie in the pattern of different muscle fibre types.