Investigation of Complexity and Regulatory Role of Physiological Activities During a Pacing Exercise

Maia Angelova,Dineshen Chuckravanen,Paul B Gastin,Sujan Rajbhandari,Alan St Clair Gibson,Sutharshan Rajasegarar,Sergiy Shelyag

doi:10.1109/access.2019.2948024

Abstract

Existing physiological control fatigue models propose that there may be a regulator in the central nervous system which modulates our daily physical activity. Within limits, this regulator ensures physical activity is completed without physiological system failure through interactive communications between the peripheral systems and the central systems. The ability of the central nervous system to regulate exercise is vital to optimise sport performance when severe intensity exercise might be required for prolonged or frequent periods. Based on mathematical models, this investigation explores the complex relationship between some of the mechanisms controlling physical activity and behaviour. In order to analyse the system control mechanisms, heart rate, volume of oxygen consumption and power output were measured for a well-trained male cyclist. Using power spectrum analysis, fractal analysis and continuous wavelet transforms, we show that the system control mechanisms regulating physiological systems, have distinct complexity. Moreover, the potential central controller uses specific frequency bands simultaneously to control and communicate with the various physiological systems. We show that pacing trials are regulated by different physiological systems.

Highlights

Hypothetical models were developed in the last 15 years in exercise physiology to explain the influence of fatigue on athletes’ physical performance during exercise [1], [2]
Fractal analysis showed that the complexity of the power output for each type of pacing is different, and the complexity of each physiological system is different
It can be used as a mathematical tool in determining the complexity of pacing and it can be used to optimise the physiological performance of the athlete

Summary

Introduction

Hypothetical models were developed in the last 15 years in exercise physiology to explain the influence of fatigue on athletes’ physical performance during exercise [1], [2]. These physiological control models postulate that the human body works as a complex integrative control system through continuous communication between the peripheral systems and the central systems [2]. Essential for the function of these regulatory processes are baseline ‘‘setpoint’’ levels of metabolic function How these setpoint levels of all metabolic variables in the different peripheral physiological systems are created and maintained, and why they are similar in different

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Conclusion