The influence of skeletal muscle mitochondria and sex on critical torque and performance fatiguability in humans

Critical torque (CT) represents the highest oxidative steady state for intermittent knee extensor exercise, but the extent to which it is influenced by skeletal muscle mitochondria and sex is unclear. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsy samples were collected from 12 females and 12 males –matched for relative maximal oxygen uptake normalized to fat‐free mass (FFM) (F: 57.3 (7.5) ml (kg FFM) −1 min −1 ; M: 56.8 (7.6) ml (kg FFM) −1 min −1 ; P = 0.856) – prior to CT determination and performance fatiguability trials. Males had a lower proportion of myosin heavy chain (MHC) I isoform (40.6 (18.4)%) compared to females (59.5 (18.9)%; P = 0.021), but MHC IIa and IIx isoform distributions and protein markers of mitochondrial content were not different between sexes ( P > 0.05). When normalized to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the relative CT (F: 42.9 (8.3)%; M: 37.9 (9.0)%; P = 0.172) and curvature constant, W ′ (F: 26.6 (11.0) N m s (N m) −1 ; M: 26.4 (6.5) N m s (N m) −1 ; P = 0.962) were not significantly different between sexes. All protein biomarkers of skeletal muscle mitochondrial content, as well as the proportion of MHC I isoform, positively correlated with relative CT (0.48 < r < 0.70; P < 0.05), and the proportion of MHC IIx isoform correlated positively with relative W ′ ( r = 0.57; P = 0.007). Indices of performance fatiguability were not different between males and females for MVC‐ and CT‐controlled trials ( P > 0.05). Greater mitochondrial protein abundance was associated with attenuated declines in potentiated twitch torque for exercise at 60% MVC ( P < 0.05); however, the influence of mitochondrial protein abundance on performance fatiguability was reduced when exercise was prescribed relative to CT. Whether these findings translate to whole‐body exercise requires additional research. image Key points The quadriceps critical torque represents the highest intensity of intermittent knee extensor exercise for which an oxidative steady state is attainable, but its relationship with skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein abundance is unknown. Matching males and females for maximal oxygen uptake relative to fat‐free mass facilitates investigations of sex differences in exercise physiology, but studies that have compared critical torque and performance fatiguability during intermittent knee extensor exercise have not ensured equal aerobic fitness between sexes. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein abundance was correlated with critical torque and fatigue resistance for exercise prescribed relative to maximum voluntary contraction but not for exercise performed relative to the critical torque. Differences between sexes in critical torque, skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein abundance and performance fatiguability were not statistically significant. Our results suggest that skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein abundance may contribute to fatigue resistance by influencing the critical intensity of exercise.