Maytenus ilicifolia Extract Increases Oxygen Uptake without Changes in Neuromuscular Fatigue Development during a High-Intensity Interval Exercise

Abstract

Objective

We investigated the effects of acute ingestion of Maytenus ilicifolia extract on metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses during a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and its consequence on neuromuscular fatigue.

Methods

Ten healthy men underwent a HIIE (4 x 4 min, 3 min recovery) one hour after ingesting 400 mg of Maytenus ilicifolia extract (MIE) or placebo. Oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂), dioxide carbon production ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$CO₂), ventilation ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$E) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the HIIE. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), and evoked 1, 10 and 100 Hz force twitch were measured before supplementation (baseline), and before (pre-HIIE) and after the HIIE (post-HIIE).

Results

The $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂, $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$E, $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$E/$\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂ ratio and HR increased progressively throughout the HIIE under both conditions (p < 0.05). MIE increased HR, however, at bouts 1 and 2 and mean $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂ during HIIE. The mean respiratory exchange ratio during recovery was also reduced with MIE (p < 0.05). MVC and evoked force at 1, 10 and 100 Hz declined similarly after HIIE, regardless of the condition (MIE: −18 ± 17%, −50 ± 15%, −61 ± 13% and −34 ± 10% vs. placebo: −19 ± 15%, −48 ± 16%, −58 ± 12 and −29 ± 11%, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no effect of exercise or MIE on VA (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

MIE increases heart rate in the first bouts and mean oxygen uptake during HIIE without changes in neuromuscular fatigue development.

Keywords:

• Neuromuscular function
• muscular fatigue
• catechin
• epigallocatechin-3-gallate
• quercetin

Acknowledgements

This study was financed in parts by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001, and Foundation for Science and Technology of Pernambuco (FACEPE). Guilherme A Ferreira would like to thank the Superior School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, for his scholarship. The English text of this manuscript has been revised by Sidney Pratt, Canadian, MAT (The Johns Hopkins University), RSAdip - TESL (Cambridge University).