Plasma K+ dynamics and implications during and following intense rowing exercise

We investigated whether potassium (K+) disturbances during and following intense exercise may be pronounced when utilizing a large contracting muscle mass, examining maximal 2,000-m rowing exercise effects on radial arterial plasma K+ concentration ([K+](a)) in 11 healthy adults. Blood was sampled at baseline, preexercise, each 30 s during rowing, and for 30 min postexercise. Time to complete 2,000 m was 7.26 +/- 0.59 min; power output at 30 s was 326 +/- 81 W (mean +/- SD). With exercise time expressed in deciles, power output fell 16.5% from the first to fourth decile (P < 0.05) and 19.9% at the ninth decile (P < 0.05); EMG median frequency declined 4.6% by the third decile and 5.5% by the eighth decile (P < 0.05). Plasma [K+](a) increased from 3.89 +/- 0.13 mM at rest to 6.13 +/- 0.46 mM by 90 s rowing (P < 0.001) and was then sustained until end exercise (P < 0.001). In recovery, [K+](a) decreased abruptly, reaching 3.33 +/- 0.22 mM at 5 min postexercise (P < 0.001) and remaining below preexercise after 30 min (P < 0.005). At end exercise, blood [lactate](a) (preexercise 0.64 +/- 0.18 mM) reached 10.87 +/- 1.33 mM, plasma volume decreased 9.7 +/- 2.3% from preexercise, and pH(a) decreased to 7.10 +/- 0.07 units (P < 0.001). In conclusion, arterial hyperkalemia was sustained during exhaustive rowing reflecting a balance between K+ release and reuptake in contracting muscles and K+ uptake by inactive muscles. While high, the [K+](a) was lower than anticipated compared with maximal cycling or sprinting, possibly reflecting greater adrenergic response and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in contracting muscles; fatigue was evidenced by reduced power output and EMG median frequency. A prolonged hypokalemia after rowing likely reflected continuing muscular Na+, K+-ATPase activity.