Effects of sprint training and detraining on plasma volume variations induced by supramaximal exercise in adolescent boys

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6 months sprint training program followed by 5 months of detraining on cycling peak performance and plasma volume variations after a 6 s cycle sprint in adolescent boys. Method Twelve adolescent boys (training group [TG], n = 6; control group [CG], n = 6) were included in the present study. TG participated in 6 months of a supervised sprint training program (2–3 days/week) and has no training past, whereas CG continued with their normal activity. A 6 s-sprint test on cycle ergometer was performed before training (P1) and after training (P2) in both groups. TG only performed a 6 s-sprint test after 5 months of detraining (P3). Hematocrit (Ht) and plasma lactate concentration were assessed at rest, immediately after the warm-up and the 6 s-sprint and after five and 20 minutes of recovery. Results Cycling peak power, expressed in absolute terms, was significantly increased in the trained group (p < 0.05) but did not change in CG. Plasma volume was significantly decreased after the warm-up and the sprint test in both groups after P1, P2 and only in TG after P3 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in ΔVP and plasma lactate before and after training program in teenage boys. Conclusion The present study showed that the training program did not affect the ΔVP after a 6 s cycle sprint in adolescent boys.