Author(s): MESSONNIER, L., BLERVAQUE, L., DELHAYE, C., BOWEN, M., MERLET, A., BUSSENEAU, P.F., MOREL, B., BERGEON, J., FÉASSON, L., SAMOZINO, P., Institution: UNIVERSITÉ SAVOIE MONT BLANC, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 1875

INTRODUCTION:
Human exercise performance strongly relies on the Force-Velocity-Endurance (FoVE) capacities, with selective importance of specific FoVE parameters according to the activity. However, the FoVE profile of highly trained power and endurance athletes and its physiological and muscular determinants remain poorly understood.
METHODS:
Seventeen highly trained rowers performed on a rowing ergometer a 2000-m time-trial to obtain performance, and a 3-min all-out test to obtain 1) FoVE parameters [initial (Pi) and critical (Pc) power, the corresponding force and velocity (F0i, V0i, F0c, V0c), and the maximal work above Pc (WACmax)] and 2) lactate recovery kinetics to determine the net lactate release rate [NLRR(0)] and the total amount accumulated (QLaA). A vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was also performed to obtain microvascular, structural, and energetic characteristics
RESULTS:
Using multivariate approach, performance (time over 2000m) of rowers was related to both Power-Time relationship (Pc and WACmax) and initial (F0i) and critical (F0c, V0c) force-velocity capacities. Pi was correlated to muscle fibre cross-sectional area (r = 0.727, p = 0.011). Capillary-to-fibre ratio was correlated to Pc (r = 0.63, p = 0.03), unlike oxidative enzymes activity. NLRR and QLaA were correlated to WACmax (r = 0.64, p = 0.03 and r = 0.79, p < 0.001 respectively).
CONCLUSION:
Power and endurance activities like rowing seems to rely on both initial force and power, and critical force, velocity and power. At the muscle level, it requires concomitant fibre hypertrophy and high capillarization