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

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 ([Formula: see text]O₂), dioxide carbon production ([Formula: see text]CO₂), ventilation ([Formula: see text]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 [Formula: see text]O₂, [Formula: see text]E, [Formula: see text]E/[Formula: see text]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 [Formula: see text]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; catechin; epigallocatechin-3-gallate; muscular fatigue; quercetin.