Review Questions
Advanced Exercise Physiology – Lecture 10 Review and Beyond
Dr. Moran
11.16.05
Review Question #1

Briefly explain the purpose of the Conconi Field Test. What is it
attempting to assess? Is it a good coaching tool to employ?

The Conconi Test is a field that has been adapted for numerous endurance
sports: xc-skiing, distance running, cycling, etc. It attempts to find the precise
exercise intensity in which to improve maximal oxygen uptake (max VO2).
Although it was originally reported to be a good field test and fairly accurate to
laboratory measurements, more recent studies have shown that it is not a
RELIABLE test. This indicates that if 1 athlete was tested within a short time
frame the test would not give the same results. As a result this test is not
recommended to field professionals, however, it could be beneficial for some
athletes.
Review Question #2

Which of the following is NOT a valid term to describe the exercise
intensity point in which removal of lactate is not adequate?
a.) Lactate Threshold (LT)
b.) Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA)
c.) Anaerobic Threshold
d.) Aerobic Threshold
Review Question #3

Training alters the % of VO2 maximum in which OBLA occurs. For
an untrained person where % of VO2 max can OBLA be expected?
How about a trained athlete? What physiological adaptations allow
this substantial difference?

For an untrained person OBLA can be expected to occur at ~55% of VO2
max, while for a trained athlete it is more typical to record OBLA at ~ 85%
VO2 max. The trained athlete can operate at greater exercise intensities and
remain below OBLA because of the following adaptations:

Due to a blunted catecholamine response



Catecholamines stimulate glycolysis but not oxidative enzymes
Increased ability to deliver and extract oxygen
Increased lactate utilization
Review Question #4

Describe two training techniques that can be used to improve LT.


Steady-state (“tempo”) runs right below, at, or above the LT intensity help to
create the best stimulus to bring about physiological adaptations that will
increase the intensity at which OBLA occurs. The duration LT pace runs will
be affected by training status, type of activity, and duration of goal event.
Interval training are short runs greater than 45 seconds in duration much
faster than LT pace. An adequate amount of rest is granted between intervals
to allow blood lactate levels to return below the OBLA point. Again this short
burst of lactate create a stimulus for the physiological system to adapt to
handle the increased lactate levels.
Review Question #5

Briefly explain why the production of lactic acid through glycolysis is
an elegant design? Be sure to describe the fate of lactic acid after it
is produced.

The production of lactate acid at the end of anaerobic metabolism is an
elegant design because lactate can be used as an energy substrate by both
the liver and the heart. A person producing lactate above the OBLA point
indicates that they are exercising intensely. Obviously at this point of exercise
the cardiac system will be under a significant amount of stress so the fact that
lactate can be used by the heart as an energy substrate represents a great
use for lactate. Lactate can also be taken up by the liver an used as a
building block for glycogen, again an action that would help to prolong
exercise.
Review Question #5

What is the “lactate shuttle” and how does endurance training
improve it?

The lactate shuttle describes the transport from muscle fibers primarily
engaged in glycolytic metabolism. The produced lactate is shuttled to nearby
muscle fibers via the “lactate shuttle” to fibers where it can be oxidized for
energy. Monocarboxlate transporters (MCT) facilitate the transport of lactate
from the cytosol into the mitochondria where it can be metabolized.
Endurance training has been shown to increase the concentration of MCT. In
a simplistic fashion this can be thought to occur between type II fibers to type
I fibers.
Review Question #6

What is the overall goal of a tapering program? As a coach how
should manipulate training frequency, intensity, volume? How long
should you design a tapering program and what % of performance
gains can be expected?

The tapering goal is reduce psychological and physiological effects of everyday training
with the thought that performance can be maximized by 0.5-6% over a short time frame.
Research has not shown what is the best duration of a tapering program, although
anywhere from 4-28d seems optimal. A coach should reduce training frequency by now
more than 20% and volume by no more than 40% but maintain training intensity during
the program. Four types of tapering programs have been described: linear, fast
exponential, slow exponential, and step. It is still unclear which program is optimal for a
given type of athlete.
Practical Application #1

Describe the contribution of each fuel substrate (carbohydrates, fat, protein, lactate)
to the total energy production of an individual running at 75% VO2 max (OBLA @
70%). For the past two days, this person’s typical diet is 10% CHO, 40% fat, and 50%
protein. After two months of intensive training, this same individual raises her OBLA
point to 80% of VO2 max. After the training, describe the contribution of each fuel
substrate (CHO, Fat, Protein, Lactate) to the total energy production if she is running
at 75% max VO2 max. Be sure to include the control or feedback mechanisms
responsible for dictating her fuel of choice in both cases and specific alterations
associated with conditioning that may change the fuel substrate. After 3 hours of
continuous running at 75% of VO2 max, justify why she must slow her pace. Be
specific. Describe the physiological mechanisms responsible for increasing her
anaerobic threshold.