Figure 1. Sequence of the experimental protocol.

Subjects first performed incremental one-legged knee-extensor exercise to exhaustion. Subsequently, they performed either incremental or constant supramaximal cycling to exhaustion following a 15 min warm-up (120 W) and 3 min of seated rest. The order of the two cycling trials was randomized and they were separated by 60 min of rest. The incremental knee-extensor and cycling trials were separated by 30 min of rest. Blood samples and blood flow measurements were obtained at rest and during exercise.