Effects of sprint training and detraining on plasma volume variations induced by supramaximal exercise in adolescent boys

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6 months sprint training program followed by 5 months of detraining on cycling peak performance and plasma volume variations after a 6 s cycle sprint in adolescent boys. Method: Twelve adolescent boys (training group [TG], n = 6; control group [CG], n = 6) were included in the present study. TG participated in 6 months of a supervised sprint training program (2-3 days/week) and has no training past, whereas CG continued with their normal activity. A 6 s-sprint test on cycle ergometer was performed before training (P1) and after training (P2) in both groups. TG only performed a 6 s-sprint test after 5 months of detraining (P3). Hematocrit (Ht) and plasma lactate concentration were assessed at rest, immediately after the warm-up and the 6 s-sprint and after five and 20 minutes of recovery. Results: Cycling peak power, expressed in absolute terms, was significantly increased in the trained group (p < 0.05) but did not change in CG. Plasma volume was significantly decreased after the warm-up and the sprint test in both groups after P1, P2 and only in TG after P3 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in ΔVP and plasma lactate before and after training program in teenage boys. Conclusion: The present study showed that the training program did not affect the ΔVP after a 6 s cycle sprint in adolescent boys. © 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.