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Limitation of the Ventilatory Response to Exercise in the Master Athlete

Limitation of the Ventilatory Response to Exercise in the Master Athlete: Influences on Locomotor Muscle Fatigue and on Endurance Performance

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05307276
Acronym
LAHMESS
Enrollment
3
Registered
2022-04-01
Start date
2022-04-01
Completion date
2023-07-01
Last updated
2023-09-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Brief summary

It is generally accepted that the ventilatory system is not a limiting factor in physical exercise in terms of performance or exercise tolerance in healthy subjects. The ventilatory system would be oversized in relation to the stresses it has to cope with, even during maximum intensity exercise. However, some highly trained endurance athletes may be exceptions to this rule. A limitation of the expiratory flow is indeed sometimes found in these athletes, whose maximum values of ventilation can confront the mechanical limits of their ventilatory system. This phenomenon could be accentuated in elderly athletes (known as master athletes) under the effect of structural and functional pulmonary alterations that accompany aging. Our hypothesis : What is the prevalence of exercise expiratory flow limitation in the master athlete and does it cause a decrease in physical performance via an acceleration of locomotor muscle fatigue?

Interventions

OTHERHeliox

Participants will then complete 1 FAM (#V3) to Neuromuscular Function Assessment (PRE-POST), Pre- and Post- Exercise Ventilatory Function Assessment, and a Constant Load Ergocycle Test to Tolerance Limit (intensity fixed at 90% of the maximum aerobic power, PMA). The following two experimental visits (#V4 and #V5) will replicate the tests described in #V3. However, during the constant load exercise, participants will breathe either ambient air or heliox (a mixture in which the nitrogen in the air is replaced by the inert gas helium) in a random order. During a final Experiential Visit (#V6), participants will replicate the Medical Gas Administration visit but the exercise will be interrupted when a similar amount of time/work as the ambient air condition is achieved.

OTHERAir

Following the selection visit (#V0) to verify the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria, participants will make 2 visits (#V1 and #V2) including in particular a Respiratory Functional Exploration (EFR) and a triangular VO2 MAX estimation test in Ambient Air or Heliox conditions (depending on randomization).

Sponsors

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Following the selection visit (#V0) to verify the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria, participants will make 2 visits (#V1 and #V2) including in particular a Respiratory Functional Exploration (EFR) and a triangular VO2 MAX estimation test in Ambient Air or Heliox conditions (depending on randomization).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Non-smoker (active or passive) or ex-smoker of less than 5 pack-years and stopped for more than 10 years. * No known significant chronic pathology. * No symptoms suggesting a progressive pathology. * No contraindication to physical exercise. Normal Pulmonary Functional Test (PFT). * Participants affiliated to the social security system

Exclusion criteria

* Vulnerable persons as defined in Articles L. 1121-5 to L.1121-8 and L.1122-1-2 of the Public Health Code (e.g. persons deprived of liberty, minors, adults protected, etc.), * Participants with a medical contraindication to sports practice, * Cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular and/or significant metabolic, * Participants with declared pathology or medical treatment, * Smoking or drug use, * Significant chronic drug treatment, * Lack of consent. * Refusal to cooperate * Recent rhino-bronchial infection (within last 4 weeks) * Mental disability

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline severity of EFL during ergocycle endurance exerciseAt inclusion and 3 monthsForce developed by the quadriceps muscle in response to percutaneous electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle activation levelAt inclusion and 3 monthsestimated by measuring electromyographic (EMG) activity

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026