Effects of previous dynamic arm exercise on power output during repeated maximal sprint cycling

This study examined the effects of elevating blood lactate concentration by arm exercise on subsequent performance during repeated 30 s sprints with the legs. Eight male students performed two 30 s cycle ergometer sprints separated by 6 min of recovery, on two occasions. On one occasion the subjects performed only the two 30 s cycle ergometer sprints ('legs'), while on the other occasion 5 min of heavy arm cranking preceded the two sprints ('arms and legs'). Blood lactate concentration was determined from capillary samples at rest, after a standardized warm-up and 3 and 5 min following each exercise bout. In the 'legs' condition, the peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) in the second sprint were 92% (P < 0.05) and 85% (P < 0.01) of the values attained during the first sprint, respectively. Prior arm exercise, which increased blood lactate to 11.0 +/- 0.6 mM, had no effect on PPO and MPO during the first cycle ergometer sprint (approximately 4% drop, N.S.). However, in the second sprint after prior arm exercise, PPO was 10% lower than the PPO attained during the corresponding sprint in the 'legs' condition (sprint 2 'arms and legs' 963 +/- 42 W, sprint 2 'legs' 1074 +/- 60 W, P < 0.05), while MPO was better maintained (sprint 2 'arms and legs' 517 +/- 17 W, sprint 2 'legs' 549 +/- 24 W, N.S.). The rate of blood lactate accumulation after both cycle ergometer sprints was considerably decreased (by approximately 50%) when blood lactate levels were pre-elevated by arm crank exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)