0
0
University of Tsukuba Research Enhances Aerobic Performance Understanding
A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Tsukuba has identified a previously unconfirmed gas exchange threshold (GET) in rats, providing valuable insights into the physiological markers of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. The study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, highlights how both the gas exchange and lactate thresholds (LT) can be used as indicators to measure exercise intensity and effectiveness in improving aerobic performance.
For years, both LT and GET have been well-established markers of moderate-intensity exercise in humans. LT refers to the point at which blood lactate levels rise, while GET indicates the point where CO2 production increases relative to oxygen uptake during incremental aerobic exercise. These thresholds are typically observed at 45%-74% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in humans, and training at or above these points is known to enhance aerobic capacity.
However, while the lactate threshold in rats had been identified, the gas exchange threshold remained unstudied—until now. This new research fills that gap, offering a model that integrates both LT and GET, similar to human exercise physiology. By combining this rat model with the V-slope method—standard for identifying GET in humans—the researchers were able to demonstrate the synchronous occurrence of both thresholds in rats at intensities between 41.0% and 65.5% of their VO2max.
The study further explored the relationship between these thresholds and aerobic performance, showing that maximal and submaximal aerobic capacities were enhanced only in rats trained at intensities above the LT. This finding is a major step forward in understanding how moderate-intensity training can improve aerobic performance across species, with significant implications for health and fitness promotion.
The results suggest that GET and LT in rats are not only valid measures of moderate-intensity exercise but also offer a practical index for training prescription aimed at boosting aerobic performance. The study’s authors believe these findings could spur further research into exercise intensity in rats, ultimately informing better exercise prescriptions for humans as well.
Importantly, the non-invasive nature of measuring GET through exhaled gas could offer a broad range of applications, particularly in the fields of exercise science and health promotion. Researchers are hopeful that this breakthrough will provide new tools for both animal studies and human training strategies.
This study, titled Setting Treadmill Intensity for Rat Aerobic Training Using Lactate and Gas Exchange Thresholds, is expected to pave the way for more advanced research and improve exercise prescriptions across both human and animal models.
For further details, the full study is available in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal (DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003562).
