title: Desaturation patterns detected by oximetry in a large population of athletes.
abstract: Optimal exercise performance in well trained athletes can be affected by arterial oxygen saturation failure. Noninvasive detection of this phenomenon when performing a routine ergometric test can be a valuable tool for subsequent planning of the athlete's training recovery, and nutrition. Oximetry has been used to this end. The authors studied 339 athletes performing a similar exercise trial under well controlled environmental conditions. Maximum speed, oxygen uptake, and heart rate levels were simultaneously measured. From the obtained data, six patterns were found: (a) athletes in whom oxygen saturation is constant (> or = 95%) during test execution; (b) athletes displaying a progressive desaturation with incremental exercise intensities; (c) athletes presenting a transient desaturation in the anaerobic threshold region; (d) athletes starting with a mild-to-moderate desaturation at the beginning of the test, but reaching normal saturation values at the end; (e) athletes displaying mild-to-moderate desaturation levels throughout the whole test; and (f) athletes displaying a transient desaturation in the anaerobic threshold region and a new desaturation at the end of the test. In conclusion, it is believed that establishment of desaturation patterns by validated oximetry could be a first approach to evaluate the adaptation of the cardiorespiratory system to exercise intensity, helping to improve results.
authors: General Hospital of Alicante, Spain.
authors: Raul P
authors: RP
authors: Garrido-Chamorro
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: González-Lorenzo
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Sirvent-Belando
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Blasco-Lafarga
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Roche
mesh_terms: D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports