Increases in submaximal cycling efficiency mediated by altitude acclimatization.
To investigate the hypothesis that respiratory gas exchange and, in particular, the O(2) consumption (VO(2)) response to exercise is altered after a 21-day expedition to 6,194 m, five male climbers (age 28.2 +/- 2 yr; weight 76.9 +/- 4.3 kg; means +/- SE) performed a progressive and prolonged two-step cycle test both before and 3-4 days after return to sea level. During both exercise tests, a depression (P < 0.05) in VO(2) (l/min) and an increase (P < 0.05) in minute ventilation (VE BTPS; l/min) and respiratory exchange ratio were observed after the expedition. These changes occurred in the absence of changes in CO(2) production (l/min). During steady-state submaximal exercise, net efficiency, calculated from the rates of the mechanical power output to the energy expended (VO(2)) above that measured at rest, increased (P < 0.05) from 25.9 +/- 1.6 to 31. 3 +/- 1.3% at the lighter power output and from 24.4 +/- 1.3 to 29.5 +/- 1.5% at the heavy power output. These changes were accompanied by a 4.5% reduction (P < 0.05) in peak VO(2) (3.99 +/- 0.17 vs. 3.81 +/- 0.18 l/min). After the expedition, an increase (P < 0.05) in hemoglobin concentration (15.0 +/- 0.49 vs. 15.8 +/- 0.41 g/100 ml) was found. It is concluded that, because resting VO(2) was unchanged, net efficiency is enhanced during submaximal exercise after a mountaineering expedition when the exercise is performed soon after return to sea level conditions.
Green
H J
HJ
Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. green@healthy.uwaterloo.ca
Roy
B
B
Grant
S
S
Hughson
R
R
Burnett
M
M
Otto
C
C
Pipe
A
A
McKenzie
D
D
Johnson
M
M
D000064:Acclimatization; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001642:Bicycling; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012119:Respiration; D012146:Rest
D006454:Hemoglobins