Effect of hyperventilation and prior heavy exercise on O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during transitions to moderate exercise

The effect of hyperventilation-induced hypocapnic alkalosis (HYPO) and prior heavy-intensity exercise (HVY) on pulmonary O2 uptake $$ (\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}}) $$ kinetics were examined in young adults (n = 7) during moderate-intensity exercise (MOD). Subjects completed leg cycling exercise during (1) normal breathing (CON, PETCO2 ~ 40 mmHg) and (2) controlled hyperventilation (HYPO, PETCO2 ~ 20 mmHg) throughout the protocol, with each condition repeated on four occasions. The protocol consisted of two MOD transitions (MOD1, MOD2) to 80% estimated lactate threshold with MOD2 preceded by HVY (Δ50%); each transition lasted 6 min and was preceded by 20 W cycling. $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} $$ was measured breath-by-breath and concentration changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin/myoglobin (Δ[HHb]) of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Adjustment of $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} $$ and Δ[HHb] were modeled using a mono-exponential equation by non-linear regression. During MOD1, the phase 2 time constant (τ) for $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} \,(\tau \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} ) $$ was greater (P < 0.05) in HYPO (45 ± 24 s) than CON (28 ± 17 s). During MOD2, $$ \tau \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} $$ was reduced (P < 0.05) in both conditions (HYPO: 24 ± 7 s, CON: 20 ± 8 s). The Δ[HbTOT] and Δ[O2Hb] were greater (P < 0.05) prior to and throughout MOD2. The Δ[HHb] mean response time was similar in MOD1 and MOD2, and between conditions, however, the MOD1 Δ[HHb] amplitude was greater (P < 0.05) in HYPO compared to CON, with no differences between conditions in MOD2. These findings suggest that the speeding of $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{p}}}} $$ kinetics after prior HVY in HYPO was related, in part, to an increase in microvascular perfusion.