Complex Network Model Reveals the Impact of Inspiratory Muscle Pre-Activation on Interactions among Physiological Responses and Muscle Oxygenation during Running and Passive Recovery

Author(s)

Manchado-Gobatto, Fulvia Barros ; Torres, Ricardo Silva ; Marostegan, Anita Brum ; Rasteiro, Felipe Marroni ; Hartz, Charlini Simoni ; Moreno, Marlene Aparecida ; Pinto, Allan Silva ; Gobatto, Claudio Alexandre

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOLOGY-BASEL; v. 11, n. 7, p. 23-pg., 2022-07-01.

Abstract

Simple Summary Different warm-ups can be used to improve physical and sports performance. Among these strategies, we can include the pre-activation of the inspiratory muscles. Our study aimed to investigate this pre-activation model in high-intensity running performance and recovery using an integrative computational analysis called a complex network. The participants in this study underwent four sessions. The first and second sessions were performed to explain the procedures, characterize them and determine the individualized pre-activation intensity (40% of the maximum inspiratory pressure). Subsequently, on different days, the subjects were submitted to high-intensity tethered runs on a non-motorized treadmill with monitoring of the physiological responses during and after this effort. To understand the impacts of the pre-activation of inspiratory muscles on the organism, we studied the centrality metrics obtained by complex networks, which help in the interpretation of data in a more integrated way. Our results revealed that the graphs generated by this analysis were altered when inspiratory muscle pre-activation was applied, emphasizing muscle oxygenation responses in the leg and arm. Blood lactate also played an important role, especially after our inspiratory muscle strategy. Our findings confirm that the pre-activation of inspiratory muscles promotes modulations in the organism, better integrating physiological responses, which could increase performance and improve recovery. Although several studies have focused on the adaptations provided by inspiratory muscle (IM) training on physical demands, the warm-up or pre-activation (PA) of these muscles alone appears to generate positive effects on physiological responses and performance. This study aimed to understand the effects of inspiratory muscle pre-activation (IMPA) on high-intensity running and passive recovery, as applied to active subjects. In an original and innovative investigation of the impacts of IMPA on high-intensity running, we proposed the identification of the interactions among physical characteristics, physiological responses and muscle oxygenation in more and less active muscle to a running exercise using a complex network model. For this, fifteen male subjects were submitted to all-out 30 s tethered running efforts preceded or not preceded by IMPA, composed of 2 x 15 repetitions (1 min interval between them) at 40% of the maximum individual inspiratory pressure using a respiratory exercise device. During running and recovery, we monitored the physiological responses (heart rate, blood lactate, oxygen saturation) and muscle oxygenation (in vastus lateralis and biceps brachii) by wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Thus, we investigated four scenarios: two in the tethered running exercise (with or without IMPA) and two built into the recovery process (after the all-out 30 s), under the same conditions. Undirected weighted graphs were constructed, and four centrality metrics were analyzed (Degree, Betweenness, Eigenvector, and Pagerank). The IMPA (40% of the maximum inspiratory pressure) was effective in increasing the peak and mean relative running power, and the analysis of the complex networks advanced the interpretation of the effects of physiological adjustments related to the IMPA on exercise and recovery. Centrality metrics highlighted the nodes related to muscle oxygenation responses (in more and less active muscles) as significant to all scenarios, and systemic physiological responses mediated this impact, especially after IMPA application. Our results suggest that this respiratory strategy enhances exercise, recovery and the multidimensional approach to understanding the effects of physiological adjustments on these conditions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/20894-2 - Maximal tethered running applied to soccer players and active subjects in two scenarios: investigations about mechanical power and oxygenation in more and less active muscles by complex network model
• Grantee: Anita Brum Marostegan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 16/50250-1 - The secret of playing football: Brazil versus the Netherlands
• Grantee: Sergio Augusto Cunha
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/06355-2 - Standardization of free and tethered specific tests to determine the aerobic and anaerobic parameters in slalom kayak: relationship with the performance
• Grantee: Fúlvia de Barros Manchado Gobatto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/05821-6 - Effects of pre activation of inspiratory muscles on mechanical and physiological parameters in tethered running: relationship with tissue responses obtained by NIRS
• Grantee: Fúlvia de Barros Manchado Gobatto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/10666-2 - Can pre-activation of inspiratory muscles potentiates the force, velocity and power of soccer players? Analysis using mechanical and physiological signals by computational model
• Grantee: Felipe Marroni Rasteiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 19/16253-1 - Unraveling the secret of Brazilian and Dutch soccer by capturing successful elements of playing style and playing strategies
• Grantee: Allan da Silva Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral