Catastrophic Collapse: Central Governor Theory

Abstract

Aim: In sports where the aerobic energy system is predominantly active and endurance is dominant, athletes frequently encounter a physiological exhaustion known as the "collapse phenomenon". Literature suggests that this collapse is typically explained through traditional approaches related to the cardiovascular, pulmonary, nervous, or musculoskeletal systems. However, alternative views exist that explain this phenomenon independently of the failure of these systems. This study thoroughly examines two different physiological approaches to understanding how collapse occurs. Method: Studies on Central Governor Theory in the literature were searched in academic databases with the keywords “Central Governor Theory”, “Brain Regulation of Exercise Performance” and “Brain Activity During Maximal Exercise”; similarities, opposing views and contradictions in studies on the subject were revealed and gaps in the literature were defined. Results: The traditional theory defines the collapse phenomenon as a physiological process resulting from oxygen deficiency and lactate accumulation, whereas the Central Governor Theory explains this phenomenon as the regulation of muscle activity by a central governor to maintain homeostasis during exercise. The findings suggest that a regulatory mechanism controlled by the brain may determine performance limits and that this regulation is not solely restricted to the capacity of the musculoskeletal system. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the collapse phenomenon, which traditional fatigue models fail to fully explain, can be approached more comprehensively within the framework of the Central Governor Theory.

Keywords

• Endurance
• Maximum Oxygen Consumption
• Fatigue

Katastrofik Çökme: Merkezi Yönetici Teorisi

Abstract

Amaç: Aerobik enerji sisteminin yoğunluklu aktif olduğu ve dayanıklılığın baskın olduğu branşlarda sporcular sıklıkla “çökme olgusu” denilen fizyolojik bir tükenmişlik ile karşılaşırlar. Literatür incelendiğinde, bu çöküşün geleneksel yaklaşım adı altında genellikle kardiyovasküler, pulmoner, sinir ya da kas-iskelet sistemlerine bağlı olarak açıklandığı görülmektedir. Ancak, bahsedilen sistemlerin çöküşünden bağımsız olarak bu olguyu açıklayan alternatif görüşler mevcuttur. Bu çalışma, çökme olgusunun nasıl oluştuğuna dair iki farklı fizyolojik yaklaşımı detaylı olarak incelemektedir. Yöntem: Literatürde Merkezi Yönetici Teorisi’ne ilişkin çalışmalar akademik veri tabanlarında “Central Governor Theory”, “Brain Regulation of Exercise Performance” ve “Brain Activity During Maximal Exercise” anahtar kelimeleri ile taranmış; konuya yönelik çalışmalardaki benzerlikler, karşıt görüşler ve çelişkiler ortaya konarak literatürdeki boşluklar tanımlanmıştır. Bulgular: Geleneksel teori, çökme olgusunu oksijen yetersizliği ve laktat birikiminden kaynaklı fizyolojik bir süreç olarak tanımlarken; Merkezi Yönetici Teorisi bu olguyu homeostazın korunmasını sağlayan bir merkezi yöneticinin egzersiz sırasında kas aktivitesini düzenlemesi olarak açıklamıştır. Bulgular, egzersiz sırasında beyin tarafından uygulanan bir düzenleme mekanizmasının performans sınırlarını belirleyebileceğini ve bu düzenlemenin yalnızca kas-iskelet sisteminin kapasitesiyle sınırlı olmadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, geleneksel yorgunluk modellerinin açıklamakta yetersiz kaldığı çöküş olgusunun, Merkezi Yönetici Teorisi çerçevesinde daha bütüncül bir yaklaşımla ele alınabileceğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Dayanıklılık
• Maksimum Oksijen Tüketimi
• Yorgunluk

References

1. Avois, L., Robinson, N., Saudan, C., Baume, N., Mangin, P., & Saugy, M. (2006). Central nervous system stimulants and sport practice. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(suppl 1), i16–i20. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.027557
2. Billat, V., Berthomier, C., Clémençon, M., Brandewinder, M., Essid, S., Damon, C., Rigaud, F., Bénichoux, A., Maby, E., Fornoni, L., Bouchet, P., Van Beers, P., Massot, B., Revol, P., Poinsard, L., Creveaux, T., Collet, C., Mattout, J., & Pialoux, V. (2024). Electroencephalography response during an incremental test according to the V̇O2MAX Plateau incidence. Applied Sciences, 14(13), 5411. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135411
3. Brink-Elfegoun, T., Holmberg, H.-C., Ekblom, M. N., & Ekblom, B. (2007). Neuromuscular and circulatory adaptation during combined arm and leg exercise with different maximal work loads. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 101(5), 603–611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0526-4
4. Crewe, H., Tucker, R., & Noakes, T. D. (2008). The rate of increase in rating of perceived exertion predicts the duration of exercise to fatigue at a fixed power output in different environmental conditions. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 103(5), 569–577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0741-7
5. Foster, C., de Koning, J. J., Hettinga, F. J., Barroso, R., Boullosa, D., Casado, A., Cortis, C., Fusco, A., Gregorich, H., Jaime, S., Jones, A. M., Malterer, K. R., Pettitt, R., Porcari, J. P., Pratt, C., Reinschmidt, P., Skiba, P., Splinter, A., St Clair Gibson, A., … van Tunen, J. (2023). Competition between desired competitive result, tolerable homeostatic disturbance, and psychophysiological interpretation determines pacing strategy. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 18(4), 335–346. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0171
6. Hill, A. V., Long, C. N. H., & Lupton, H. (1924). Muscular exercise, lactic acid and the supply and utilisation of oxygen.—Parts VII–VIII. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character, 97(682), 155-176.
7. Hill, A. V., & Kupalov, P. (1929). Anaerobic and aerobic activity in isolated muscle. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character, 105(737), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1929.0045
8. Karaçam, Z. (2013). Sistematik derleme metodolojisi: Sistematik derleme hazırlamak için bir rehber. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 6(1), 26-33.

9. Kenefick, R. W., & Sawka, M. N. (2007). Heat exhaustion and dehydration as causes of marathon collapse. Sports Medicine, 37(4), 378–381. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737040-00027
10. Marcora, S. M. (2008). Do we really need a central governor to Explain Brain Regulation of exercise performance? European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(5), 929–931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0818-3
11. Maruo, Y. (2023). Hurdling on home straight in the women 3000m steeplechase. Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance, 3(1), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.55860/hnrw6783
12. Noakes, T. (2001a). Lore of running. Human kinetics.
13. Noakes, T. D., Peltonen, J. E., & Rusko, H. K. (2001b). Evidence that a central governor regulates exercise performance during acute hypoxia and hyperoxia. Journal of Experimental Biology, 204(18), 3225–3234. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.204.18.3225
14. Noakes, T. D., Peltonen, J. E., & Rusko, H. K. (2001). Evidence that a central governor regulates exercise performance during acute hypoxia and hyperoxia. Journal of Experimental Biology, 204(18), 3225-3234.
15. Noakes, T. D., & Marino, F. E. (2008). Does a central governor regulate maximal exercise during combined arm and leg exercise? A rebuttal. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(4), 757–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0817-4
16. Noakes, T. D., & Tucker, R. (2008). Do we really need a central governor to explain brain regulation of exercise performance? A response to the letter of Dr. Marcora. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(5), 933-935. doi:10.1007/s00421-008-0842-3
17. Noakes, Timothy David. (2008a). How did A.V. Hill understand the VO2max and the “Plateau Phenomenon”? Still no clarity? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 574–580. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.046771
18. Noakes, Timothy David. (2008b). Testing for maximum oxygen consumption has produced a brainless mode of human exercise performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 551–555. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.046821
19. Noakes, T. D. (2010). The central governor model and fatigue during exercise: Regulation of fatigue in exercise. Hauppauge: Nova Science Publishers, 1-26.
20. O’Connor, F. G., & Brennan, F. H. (2024, October 14). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-collapsed-adult-athlete.
21. Palacin, F., Poinsard, L., Mattei, J., Berthomier, C., & Billat, V. (2024). Brain, metabolic, and RPE responses during a free-pace marathon: A preliminary study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081024
22. Sallis, R. (2004). Collapse in the endurance athlete. Sports science exchange, 17, 95-103.
23. St Clair Gibson, A., De Koning, J. J., Thompson, K. G., Roberts, W. O., Micklewright, D., Raglin, J., & Foster, C. (2013). Crawling to the finish line: Why do endurance runners collapse? Sports Medicine, 43(6), 413–424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0044-y