Limitation of the Ventilatory Response to Exercise in the Master Athlete

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice3 enrolled

Overview

It is generally accepted that the ventilatory system is not a limiting factor in physical exercise in terms of performance or exercise tolerance in healthy subjects. The ventilatory system would be oversized in relation to the stresses it has to cope with, even during maximum intensity exercise. However, some highly trained endurance athletes may be exceptions to this rule. A limitation of the expiratory flow is indeed sometimes found in these athletes, whose maximum values of ventilation can confront the mechanical limits of their ventilatory system. This phenomenon could be accentuated in elderly athletes (known as "master athletes") under the effect of structural and functional pulmonary alterations that accompany aging. Our hypothesis : What is the prevalence of exercise expiratory flow limitation in the master athlete and does it cause a decrease in physical performance via an acceleration of locomotor muscle fatigue?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Interventions

Participants will then complete 1 FAM (#V3) to Neuromuscular Function Assessment (PRE-POST), Pre- and Post- Exercise Ventilatory Function Assessment, and a Constant Load Ergocycle Test to Tolerance Limit (intensity fixed at 90% of the maximum aerobic power, PMA). The following two experimental visits (#V4 and #V5) will replicate the tests described in #V3. However, during the constant load exercise, participants will breathe either ambient air or heliox (a mixture in which the nitrogen in the air is replaced by the inert gas helium) in a random order. During a final Experiential Visit (#V6), participants will replicate the "Medical Gas Administration" visit but the exercise will be interrupted when a similar amount of time/work as the ambient air condition is achieved.

AirOTHER

Following the selection visit (#V0) to verify the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria, participants will make 2 visits (#V1 and #V2) including in particular a Respiratory Functional Exploration (EFR) and a triangular VO2 MAX estimation test in Ambient Air or Heliox conditions (depending on randomization).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Non-smoker (active or passive) or ex-smoker of less than 5 pack-years and stopped for more than 10 years. * No known significant chronic pathology. * No symptoms suggesting a progressive pathology. * No contraindication to physical exercise. Normal Pulmonary Functional Test (PFT). * Participants affiliated to the social security system Exclusion Criteria: * Vulnerable persons as defined in Articles L. 1121-5 to L.1121-8 and L.1122-1-2 of the Public Health Code (e.g. persons deprived of liberty, minors, adults protected, etc.), * Participants with a medical contraindication to sports practice, * Cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular and/or significant metabolic, * Participants with declared pathology or medical treatment, * Smoking or drug use, * Significant chronic drug treatment, * Lack of consent. * Refusal to cooperate * Recent rhino-bronchial infection (within last 4 weeks) * Mental disability

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline severity of EFL during ergocycle endurance exercise

Force developed by the quadriceps muscle in response to percutaneous electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve

Time frame: At inclusion and 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Muscle activation level

estimated by measuring electromyographic (EMG) activity