Neural Response of Cortical Brain During High Intensity Interval Pedaling Induced Fatigue in Women Cyclist

The importance of the brain in regulating the physical performance associated with cardiovascular responses is one of the most important unresolved training treatment in different age groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neurological response of the cerebral cortex and to establish the physiological parameters of central fatigue during high-intensity exercise.

In a laboratory study, fourteen sprint- cyclist women completed a session with a high-intensity interval training 60-minute exercise on an ergometer cycle. Intermittently (90-120-60-120-60-90 rpm) the intensity was changed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to analyze the cortical activity changes. The heart rate, blood lactate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured and recorded after the change in parity.

The results showed that heart rate, blood lactate, and RPE increased by 120 rpm compared with 60 rpm. The spectral power of EEG is significantly increased at the alpha frequency and beta frequency range by varying the coding between 60 and 120 rpm (theta: +251%, alpha: +167%, beta: +145%). By reducing the cadence from 120 to 60 rpm, spectral power is significantly reduced (theta: -176%, alpha: -145%, beta: -78%) in all the analyzed EEG frequency domains. The data also indicated a significant decrease in the spectral EEG across the entire frequency range over time.

Analyzed EEG data showed that cerebral cortical neural response increased during high-intensity exercise and fatigue cycles in all frequency domains, especially beta.