VISUAL AND BRAIN-STEM AUDITORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS AND MAXIMAL AEROBIC EXERCISE - DOES THE INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE PERSIST AFTER BODY-TEMPERATURE RECOVERY

Transversal studies have shown a strong correlation between specific e voked potential (EP) values and specific physical activities, as well as between EP values and the amount of training. Prior to longitudinal studies investigating the effect of training in EPs, it is mandatory to determine whether a recent training session could interfere with re gular EP recording. Exercise-induced hyperthermia is known to modify E P values. The purpose of the study was to determine whether an acute e xercise can induce EP modification persisting after body temperature r ecovery. We measured hive sets of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in 16 males (8 cyclists a nd 8 sedentary peers), one before and the other after a maximal cycloe rgometric graded exercise test. The second test was performed immediat ely after body temperature recovery. We chose to test cyclists, as the ir specific training corresponded to the exercise test we performed on a cycloergometer. The repeated measures before and after the exercise test showed no significant differences, neither in VEPs nor in BAEPs, for any subject of the study. Recording VEPs and BAEPs in cyclists, w e observed no difference related to this particular sport training. Th is study showed that VEP and BAEP values were similar to those measure d before a maximal exercise when body temperature returned to pre-exer cise value. This original work demonstrated that VEP and BAEP recordin gs can be reliably performed after a recent training session, provided body temperature has returned to basal level.