All methods described here have been approved by the local ethical committee (Doshisha University Ethical Committee: 15033), and were in strict accordance with the standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Participants were male recreational athletes (age, 20.1 ± 1.2 years; weight, 69.7 ± 6.2 kg; height, 176.1 ± 5.8 cm; body fat 13.6 ± 1.5% and VO2max, 52.6 ± 6.6 mL/min1/kg1).
1. Establishment of the Exercise Protocol
NOTE: The present study consisted of the evaluation of blood hormonal and metabolites dynamics by blood sampling from the antecubital vein during a HIIE protocol.
2. Catheterization
NOTE: Tubes and vacutainers should be labeled beforehand to avoid losing time.
3. Blood Samplings
As representative results, we used this protocol to measure blood lactate and insulin variation in six subjects during a HIIE in a cycle ergometer. Peak power and Average Power for the Wingate test were 732 ± 120 and 549 ± 84 Watts, respectively. Average Power was used to calculate the power output (494 ± 75 Watts) during the 30 s bouts of the HIIE.
Figure 2 shows plasma insulin and blood lactate variation during the HIIE. Plasma insulin (Figure 2A) decreased during the first and third 30 s bouts but increased during the second bout and the recovery periods. On the other hand, plasma lactate (Figure 2B) decreased during the second and third 30 s bouts, but increased during the first 30 s bout and the recovery periods.
Figure 1: Exercise protocol. Red arrows indicate the time of blood samples collection. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: Experimental results. (A) Plasma insulin (ulU/mL). (B) Blood lactate (mmol/L). Each color represents a different subject. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Cycle ergometer | Monark | MONARK Ergomedic 874 E | |
Catheter | Terumo | SR-FF2032 | |
Vacutainer | Terumo | PZ-D03 | |
Tube for catheter | Terumo | SP-PTW30L02 | |
Heparin | Terumo | PF-10HF10UA | |
Lactate pro2 | Arkray | LT-1730 | |
Insulin ELISA kit | Abnova | ELISA Kit KA0921 |
The measurement of metabolic and endocrinal markers during physical activity is of relevance to understanding the physiological implications of different exercise modalities. During some exercise modalities (e.g., high-intensity interval exercise), blood metabolites and hormonal levels change in short periods of time. In the present study, we describe a method to catheterize the antecubital vein, which allows the collection of several blood samples during exercise. Insulin and venous lactate concentrations were measured during high-intensity exercise by the application of the described method. The exercise consisted of three 30 s bouts of high-intensity exercise separated by 4 min of recovery. After the last recovery period, a Wingate test was performed. Blood samples from the antecubital vein were obtained before and after each 30 s bout and before and after the Wingate test. As a result, it was possible to evaluate the plasma insulin and venous blood lactate variations during the exercise.
The measurement of metabolic and endocrinal markers during physical activity is of relevance to understanding the physiological implications of different exercise modalities. During some exercise modalities (e.g., high-intensity interval exercise), blood metabolites and hormonal levels change in short periods of time. In the present study, we describe a method to catheterize the antecubital vein, which allows the collection of several blood samples during exercise. Insulin and venous lactate concentrations were measured during high-intensity exercise by the application of the described method. The exercise consisted of three 30 s bouts of high-intensity exercise separated by 4 min of recovery. After the last recovery period, a Wingate test was performed. Blood samples from the antecubital vein were obtained before and after each 30 s bout and before and after the Wingate test. As a result, it was possible to evaluate the plasma insulin and venous blood lactate variations during the exercise.
The measurement of metabolic and endocrinal markers during physical activity is of relevance to understanding the physiological implications of different exercise modalities. During some exercise modalities (e.g., high-intensity interval exercise), blood metabolites and hormonal levels change in short periods of time. In the present study, we describe a method to catheterize the antecubital vein, which allows the collection of several blood samples during exercise. Insulin and venous lactate concentrations were measured during high-intensity exercise by the application of the described method. The exercise consisted of three 30 s bouts of high-intensity exercise separated by 4 min of recovery. After the last recovery period, a Wingate test was performed. Blood samples from the antecubital vein were obtained before and after each 30 s bout and before and after the Wingate test. As a result, it was possible to evaluate the plasma insulin and venous blood lactate variations during the exercise.