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Changes in phosphocreatine concentration of skeletal muscle during high-intensity intermittent exercise in children and adults

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to test the hypotheses that a greater oxidative capacity in children results in a lower phosphocreatine (PCr) depletion, a faster PCr resynthesis and a lower muscle acidification during high-intensity intermittent exercise compared to adults.

Methods

Sixteen children (9.4 ± 0.5 years) and 16 adults (26.1 ± 0.3 years) completed a protocol consisting of a dynamic plantar flexion (10 bouts of 30-s exercise at 25 % of one repetition maximum separated by 20-s recovery), followed by 10 min of passive recovery. Changes of PCr, ATP, inorganic phosphate, and phosphomonoesters were measured by means of 31Phosphorous-magnetic resonance spectroscopy during and post-exercise.

Results

Average PCr (percentage of [PCr] at initial rest (%[PCr]i)) at the end of the exercise (adults 17 ± 12 %[PCr]i, children 38 ± 17 %[PCr]i, P < 0.01) and recovery periods (adults 37 ± 14 %[PCr]i, children 57 ± 17 %[PCr]i, P < 0.01) was significantly lower in adults compared to children, induced by a stronger PCr decrease during the first exercise interval (adults −73 ± 10 %[PCr]i, children −55 ± 15 %[PCr]i, P < 0.01). End-exercise pH was significantly higher in children compared to adults (children 6.90 + 0.20, −0.14; adults 6.67 + 0.23, −0.15, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

From our results we suggest relatively higher rates of oxidative ATP formation in children’s muscle for covering the ATP demand of high-intensity intermittent exercise compared to adults, enabling children to begin each exercise interval with significantly higher PCr concentrations and leading to an overall lower muscle acidification.

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Abbreviations

FTI:

Force–time integral

MR:

Magnetic resonance

pH:

Intracellular pH

Pi :

Inorganic phosphate

PCr:

Phosphocreatine

PP:

Peak power output

PME:

Phosphomonoesters

ROM:

Range of motion

SD:

Standard deviation

τ :

Time constant

W:

Watts

WAnT:

Wingate anaerobic test

W/kg mm:

Watts per kilogram muscle mass

1RM:

One repetition maximum

31P-MRS:

31Phosphorous-magnetic resonance spectroscopy

%[PCri]:

Percent of PCr at initial rest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Training and Exercise Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus Nord Haus Nr. 10, 44780, Bochum, Germany

    J. Kappenstein, A. Ferrauti & J. Fernandez-Fernandez

  2. Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany

    B. Runkel

  3. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center DLR, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany

    K. Müller & J. Zange

  4. Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50923, Cologne, Germany

    J. Zange

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  1. J. Kappenstein
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  2. A. Ferrauti
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  3. B. Runkel
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  4. J. Fernandez-Fernandez
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  5. K. Müller
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  6. J. Zange
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Correspondence to J. Kappenstein.

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Communicated by Peter Krustrup.

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Kappenstein, J., Ferrauti, A., Runkel, B. et al. Changes in phosphocreatine concentration of skeletal muscle during high-intensity intermittent exercise in children and adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 2769–2779 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2712-x

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