Reduced volume and increased training intensity elevate muscle Na+/K+ pump {alpha}2-subunit expression as well as short- and long-term work capacity in humans

Jens Bangsbo, Thomas Petursson Gunnarsson, Jesper Wendell, Lars Nybo, Martin Thomassen

    65 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The present study examined muscle adaptations and alterations in work capacity in endurance-trained runners as a result of a reduced amount of training combined with speed endurance training. Seventeen runners were for a 6- to 9-wk period assigned to either a speed endurance group with a 25% reduction in the amount of training but including speed endurance training consisting of 6-12 30-s sprint runs 3-4 times a week (SET, n=12) or a control group (CON, n=5), which continued the endurance training (about 55 km(.)wk(-1)). For SET the expression of the muscle Na(+)/K(+) pump alpha2-subunit was 68% higher (P<0.05) and plasma K(+) was reduced (P<0.05) during repeated intense running after 9 weeks. Performance in a 30-s sprint test and the first of the supra-maximal exhaustive runs was improved (P<0.05) by 7% and 36%, respectively, after the speed endurance training period. In SET, VO2-max was unaltered, but the 3-K (3,000 m) time was reduced (P<0.05) from 10.4+/-0.1 (mean+/-SEM) to 10.1+/-0.1 min and 10-K (10,000 m) time was improved from 37.3+/-0.4 to 36.3+/-0.4 min. Muscle protein expression and performance remained unaltered in CON. The present data suggest that both short- and long-term exercise performance can be improved with a reduction in training volume if speed endurance training is performed, and a role of the Na(+)/K(+) pump in the control of K(+) homeostasis and in the development of fatigue during repeated high-intensity exercise. Key words: Fatigue, Running economy, Performance, Potassium.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
    Volume107
    Issue number6
    Pages (from-to)1771-1780
    Number of pages10
    ISSN8750-7587
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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