Acute effect on central nervous system after a simulated trial in cadets cyclists

Abstract

Objectives. The study of origin of fatigue in sport has been extensively studied, it still does not know exactly how it works. One of the causes of decreased performance in athletes is fatigue in central nervous system (CNS). The present research aims to study changes in Flicker Fusion Threshold before and after a 30 minutes trial on a cycle ergometer, as a means to assess the CNS fatigue in a group of trained cyclists cadet.

Method. Seven male subjects were analyzed (62.6 ± 4.11 kg, 172.8 ± 7.94 cm, 14.7 ± 0.8 years, 13.4 ± 3.53% fat, 21.0 ± 1.83 kg/m2, VO2max [ml/kg/min] 63.2 ± 5.13, VO2max [l]: 4.1 ± 0.5). They performed a 30 minutes maximum cycle ergometer trial. Prior to this trial and at the end, we measured following variables: Flicker fusion threshold ascending, Flicker fusion threshold descending, subjective criteria and sensory sensitivity. Each subject performed the test three times, Flicker Fusion Threshold obtaining an average value of them.

Results. The results show increased cortical activation after the 30 minutes trial, therefore do not show signs of fatigue of the CNS, since the results of sensory sensitivity increased (pre: 30.1 ± 4.3 Hz; Post: 32.4 ± 6.3 Hz). These results are similar with other studies in which subject realized efforts with similar nature.

Conclusion. It has been shown as 30 minutes trial on a cycle ergometer does not seem to generate fatigue in the CNS measured with Flicker Fusion system in cyclist of cadet category, because did not decrease the Flicker Fusion Threshold.