Carl D Paton

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at Eastern Institute of Technology

Previous research examining the ergogenic benefits of blackcurrant supplementation (BC) on exercise performance is contradictory. The BC supplementation period in many studies has typically been chronic (> 6‐days), with a final dose taken hours before testing. Whether any observed performance benefits are from the acute dose or chronic supplementat...

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is increasingly being used to enhance aerobic performance in endurance athletes. This study examined physiological responses to BFR applied in recovery phases within a high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) session in trained cyclists. Eleven competitive road cyclists (mean ± SD, age: 28 ± 7 years, body mass: 69 ± 6 kg...

SESNZ 2023 Conference presentation slides

The neurotoxic effects of ozone exposure are related to neuroinflammation and increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aimed to assess inflammation, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and cognition in healthy male cyclists following polyphenol supplementation and exercise in an ozone-polluted environment. Ten male cyclists init...

The effects of balance board training with an ageing population P Lander, E McKay, C Paton EIT-Te Pūkenga, Te Kura Kaupapa Hauora, Hākinakina / School of Health and Sport Science, Hawke’s Bay, Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Keywords: Balance, Training, Older adults, Falls prevention Strength and balance programmes are a well-established training method...

Introduction. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a key component in preparing for competitive cycling by enhancing aerobic and anaerobic capacities. However, the muscle’s adaptive capacity can be attenuated with increased training status, indicating the need for varied and progressive training strategies. Blood flow restriction (BFR) is inc...

Coconut water is used as an alternative to conventional sports drinks for hydration during endurance cycling; however, evidence supporting its use is limited. This study determined if drinking coconut water compared to a sports drink altered cycling performance and physiology. In a randomized crossover trial, 19 experienced male (n = 15) and female...

Purpose Polluted environments can adversely affect lung function and exercise performance. Evidence suggests that some nutrient supplements may offset pollution’s detrimental effects. This study examined the effect of polyphenol supplementation on lung function and exercise performance in an ozone-polluted environment. Methods Ten male cyclists (m...

Stryd is a foot pod that reliably estimates running power. Our objectives were to examine the efficacy of the website-generated Stryd critical power (CPSTRYD) as a meaningful parameter for runners. 20 runners performed their regular training while wearing Stryd for a minimum of 6 weeks to generate CPSTRYD. Runners completed laboratory graded exerci...

Purpose: Leading a 4-km team pursuit (TP) requires high-intensity efforts above critical power (CP) that deplete riders' finite work capacity (W'), whereas riders following in the aerodynamic draft may experience some recovery due to reduced power demands. This study aimed to determine how rider ability and CP and W' measures impact TP performance...

Blackcurrant juices and extracts containing anthocyanin may provide ergogenic benefits to sports performance. However, there are no studies examining the effects of coingestion of blackcurrant and caffeine. This investigation examined the effects of acute supplementation with a proprietary blackcurrant beverage administered in isolation or in combi...

New Zealand has low levels of the essential trace elements selenium and a growing concern with increasing exposure to cadmium, one of the most toxic pollutants worldwide. Both elements are highly implicated in health and disease and have links with the central nervous system. Selenium levels have previously been shown to have a relationship with ps...

Aim: Physical activity (PA) offers protective benefits against at least 25 chronic conditions including psychological stress. The health benefits of PA may be largely attributed to improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). However, current guidelines based on PA duration and intensity are controversial, and both are prone to measurement err...

Introduction: Intermittent high-intensity cycling stresses aerobic metabolism and the ability to tolerate homeostatic disturbances. Aerobic metabolism is rate limited and measured externally as the critical power (CP), whereas work above CP is capacity limited and expressed as the work prime (W’). The intermittent nature of cycling races permits po...

This investigation compared the urine caffeine metabolites produced from different forms of caffeine supplementation given to runners 15 minutes before a series of 5-km running trials. Fourteen amateur competitive runners completed a series of self-paced outdoor time trials following ingestion of placebo or one of three alternate forms of caffeine...

Exercise and Mental Health Symposium (Online) 3rd July 2020

This study aimed to examine the effects of lower limb blood flow restriction (BFR) performed during 3-a-side futsal game training on aerobic and anaerobic performance of futsal players. Twelve male futsal players were randomized into two groups (n = 6); both groups performed ten sessions of the 3-a-side game every other day in half of a futsal cour...

Objective To investigate the acute glyacaemic response to accumulated or single bout walking exercise in apparently healthy adults. Design Three arm, randomised crossover control study. Method Ten adults (age: 50 ± 12.6 y; BMI 29.0 ± 5.4 kg m⁻²) completed three separate trials comprising three 10-minute walking bouts after breakfast, lunch, and d...

Purpose: Caffeine is frequently used by athletes as an ergogenic aid. Various alternate forms of caffeine administration are available, which may produce different effects. This investigation compares the effects of different forms of caffeine supplementation on 5-km running performance, and the relationship between athlete ability and degree of e...

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different combinations of blood flow restriction (BFR) pressure and exercise intensity on aerobic, anaerobic, and muscle strength adaptations in physically active collegiate women. Thirty-two women (age 22.8 ± 2.9 years; body mass index 22.3 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were randomly assigned into four experi...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leg blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during a 3-a-side futsal game on strength-related parameters. Twelve male futsal players were randomly assigned into two groups (n=6 for each group) during 10 training sessions either with or without leg BFR. Prior to and post training sessions, particip...

Purpose: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and postactivation potentiation (PAP) are warm-up strategies proposed to improve high-intensity sporting performance. However, only few studies have investigated the benefits of these strategies compared with an appropriate control (CON) or an athlete-selected (SELF) warm-up protocol. Therefore, this study e...

The use of bicycle power meters is becoming an increasingly popular, although somewhat costly, means of monitoring training adaptations in competitive cyclists. The PowerCal (PCal) is a low-cost power prediction device that may offer an alternative means of monitoring cycling performance. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reli...

Purpose: Training with blood flow restriction (BFR) is known to enhance muscle mass and strength during resistance training activities. However, little is known about the BFR effects during aerobic training. This investigation examines the effects of running training performed with or without BFR on physiology and performance. Method: Sixteen su...

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of block training (BL) on pacing during a 20-km hilly cycling time trial (TT) in trained cyclists. Twenty male cyclists were separated into 2 groups: control and BL. The training of each cyclist was monitored during a period of 3 weeks. In the first week cyclists performed an overload period of 7 c...

This study assessed the validity and reproducibility of the PowerCal device for estimating power output (PO) during cycling hilly time trial (TT). Twenty-one welltrained male cyclists performed an incremental exercise test and three 20-km TT (34.1 +/- 10.6 years; 73.2 +/- 3.2 kg, 176.8 +/- 6.2 cm; maximal power output, 334 +/- 31 W; maximal oxygen...

This study investigates the physiological correlates of computer simulated rolling terrain time-trial performance in a group of competitive cyclists. Twenty eight trained cyclists (age 33 ± 10 years, body mass 74.4 ± 7.3 kg, and peak oxygen uptake 64 ± 7 mL.kg-1.min-1) participated in this study. Cyclists initially completed a graded exercise test...

BACKGROUND: The PowerCal device purports to effectively estimate power output (PO) using an algorithm computed from the HR response recorded during exercise. OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility and validity of PO estimation using the PowerCal during sprints. METHODS: Ten well-trained male cyclists (maximal oxygen uptake-62.7 ± 5.9 ml ⋅ kg ⁻¹ ⋅...

Ergometer based time trials are commonly used to assess performance changes due to training or other interventions. This investigation establishes the reliability of a novel computer simulated cycling time trial. Nineteen cyclists (age: 32 ± 12 years, mass 73 ± 11 kg, height 178 ± 5 cm) completed four time trials over a 20-km course which included...

Competitive endurance athletes commonly undertake periods of overload training in the weeks prior to major competitions. This investigation examined the effects of two seven-day high-intensity overload training regimes (HIT) on performance and physiological characteristics of competitive cyclists. The study was a matched groups, controlled trial. T...

This investigation reports the effects of chewing caffeinated gum on race performance with trained cyclists. Twenty competitive cyclists completed two 30-km time trials that included a maximal effort 0.2-km sprint each 10-km. Caffeine (~3-4 mg · kg(-1)) or placebo was administered double-blind via chewing gum at the 10-km point following completion...

Background: Many competitive cyclists use mobile ergometers to monitor power output during training and competition rides. A training-impulse model is then often used to combine a training-stress score from each ride into measures of "fitness" and "fatigue", the difference in which is interpreted as a measure of "freshness" that might predict compe...

Respiratory muscle training has been proposed as a beneficial means of improving respiratory muscle function and performance in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-wk specific respiratory muscle training program on the performance and respiratory muscle function in highly-trained rowers. Sixteen national r...

The aim of this study was to compare respiratory measures taken simultaneously using the Cosmed K4b(2) and Cortex Metamax II portable metabolic systems. 10 trained male cyclists performed a graded exercise cycle test to exhaustion (40w.3 min (- 1)) under standardized conditions. The measured respiratory variables were significantly correlated betwe...

Strategies that reduce the physiological load during the cycling phase of triathlon events may enable athletes to perform better during the subsequent running phase. The current study examines the effects of changes in shoe cleat position, during the cycling phase of a simulated duathlon, on running performance of competitive triathletes. Controlle...

The aim of this study was to assess the validity (Study 1) and reliability (Study 2) of a novel intermittent running test (Carminatti's test) for physiological assessment of soccer players. In Study 1, 28 players performed Carminatti's test, a repeated sprint ability test, and an intermittent treadmill test. In Study 2, 24 players performed Carmina...

The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between several physiological variables and performance during simulated up-hill road cycling time trial on the field in competitive cyclists. Fifteen cyclists (35.1 ± 7.0 yrs; 68.4 ± 7.7 kg; 1.73 ± 0.1 cm; 8.5 ± 1.0% of body fat; 57.9 ± 8.2 ml·kg-1·min-1) performed an incremental exercise te...

This investigation reports the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on fatigue and hormone response during repeated sprint performance with competitive cyclists. Nine male cyclists (mean ± SD, age 24 ± 7 years, VO(2max) 62.5 ± 5.4 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) completed four high-intensity experimental sessions, consisting of four sets of 30 s sprints (5 sprint...

We have previously demonstrated that well-trained subjects who completed a 3 week training programme in which selected high-intensity interval training (HIT) sessions were commenced with low muscle glycogen content increased the maximal activities of several oxidative enzymes that promote endurance adaptations to a greater extent than subjects who...

Aerobic economy is an important factor that affects the performance of competitive cyclists. It has been suggested that placing the foot more anteriorly on the bicycle pedals may improve economy over the traditional foot position by improving pedaling efficiency. The current study examines the effects of changing the anterior-posterior pedal foot p...

Researchers have long been investigating strategies that can increase athletes' ability to oxidize fatty acids and spare carbohydrate, thus potentially improving endurance capacity. Green-tea extract (epigallocatechin-3-gallate; EGCG) has been shown to improve endurance capacity in mice. If a green-tea extract can stimulate fat oxidation and as a r...

We have previously demonstrated that well-trained subjects who completed a 3 week training programme in which selected high-intensity interval training (HIT) sessions were commenced with low muscle glycogen content increased the maximal activities of several oxidative enzymes that promote endurance adaptations to a greater extent than subjects who...

Repeated-agility sprint ability is an important performance characteristic of badminton players. However, it is unclear whether regular badminton training is sufficient to improve repeated-agility sprint ability or whether supplementary training is required. Therefore, our aim was to investigate whether supplementing regular group training with sho...

High-resistance interval training produces substantial gains in sprint and endurance performance of cyclists in the competitive phase of a season. Here, we report the effect of changing the cadence of the intervals. We randomized 18 road cyclists to 2 groups for 4 weeks of training. Both groups replaced part of their usual training with 8 30-minute...

In this study, we aimed to investigate physiological determinants of endurance performance that best predict 5000-m average run velocity before and after endurance training. Thirty-nine previously untrained participants completed a 5000-m run; a constant velocity test (measuring running economy); and an incremental treadmill test to determine maxim...

Interval training at race-specific high cadences improves endurance cycling performance, but there is evidence that adding resistance to reduce the ca- dence might be more effective. AIM. To determine the effect of high-resistance interval training on endurance performance of male cyclists during the competi- tion phase of a season. METHODS. In a r...

"Progressive overload" is regarded an important principle to consider in maximising endurance training adaptations, yet little scientific evidence supports this concept. The aim of the present study was to compare differences in endurance performance after a training regime where treadmill-running intensity was incrementally elevated to a regime wh...

We determined the effects of a cycle training program in which selected sessions were performed with low muscle glycogen content on training capacity and subsequent endurance performance, whole body substrate oxidation during submaximal exercise, and several mitochondrial enzymes and signaling proteins with putative roles in promoting training adap...

The magnitude of improvement in peak oxygen uptake (V(o)(2peak))) and performance to an exercise training regime is related to the V(o)(2) of prior accumulated exercise training bouts. However, it is unclear whether constant rate training (CRT) or interval training (INT) preferentially alters the V(o)(2) of running exercise. Therefore, the purpose...

The purpose of this study was to investigate if caffeine ingestion improves 5-km time-trial performance in well-trained and recreational runners. Using a double-blind placebo-controlled design, 15 well-trained and 15 recreational runners completed two randomized 5-km time-trials, after ingestion of either 5mgkg(-1) of caffeine or a placebo. Caffein...

To investigate whether the distance covered in the six minute walk test was affected by walking with a group of others in comparison with performing the test alone. Eight healthy men (mean (SD) age 21.0 (0.9) years) and eight healthy women (mean (SD) age 20.8 (2.0) years) performed in random order two six minute walk tests either alone or in a grou...

When physical performance is monitored with an ergometer, random error arising from the ergometer combines with biological variation from the subject to limit the precision of estimation of performance changes. We report here the contributions of ergometer error and biological variation to the error of measurement in a performance test with two pop...

In a recent study competitive road cyclists experienced substantial gains in sprint and endurance performance when sessions of high-intensity interval training were added to their usual training in the competitive phase of a season. The current study reports the effect of this type of training on performance of 20 distance runners randomized to an...

The race-to-race variation in performance of a top athlete determines the smallest change in performance affecting the athlete's chances of winning. We report here the typical variation in competition times of elite cyclists in various race series. Repeated-measures analysis of log-transformed official race times provided the typical variation in a...

Sport scientists should consider seasonal trends and individual variability in performance when using tests to track performance changes resulting from training or other medium-term interventions with individuals or in research studies. We report here the seasonal changes and variability in power of 12 male competitive cyclists, who performed labor...

In several recent studies, athletes experienced substantial gains in sprint and endurance performance when explosive training or high-intensity interval training was added in the noncompetitive phase of a season. Here we report the effect of combining these 2 types of training on performance in the competitive phase. We randomized 18 road cyclists...

PURPOSE. The reliability of competitive performance of athletes in a given sport provides an estimate of the smallest worthwhile change in performance, which is crucial when testing athletes and when assessing factors that affect performance in that sport. We have therefore analyzed the reliability of athletes competing in international Olympic-dis...

Most endurance athletes use high-intensity training to prepare for competitions. In this review we consider the effects of high-intensity interval and resistance training on endurance performance and related physiological measures of competitive endurance athletes. METHODS. There were 22 relevant training studies. We classified training as interval...

The effect of caffeine ingestion on sprint performance is unclear. We have therefore investigated its effect on performance in a test that simulates the repeated sprints of team sports. In a randomized double-blind crossover experiment, 16 male team-sport athletes ingested either caffeine (6 mg.kg-1 of body mass) or a placebo 60 min before performi...

Performance tests are an integral component of assessment for competitive cyclists in practical and research settings. Cycle ergometry is the basis of most of these tests. Most cycle ergometers are stationary devices that measure power while a cyclist pedals against sliding friction (e.g. Monark), electromagnetic braking (e.g. Lode), or air resista...

Thesis (PhD) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2005.