Effects of blood gas, pH, lactate, potassium on the oxygen uptake time courses during constant-load bicycle exercise

Changes in the time courses of VO2 during constant-load exercise were examined in connection with other cardiorespiratory and blood chemical parameters. Eleven healthy male subjects performed a ramp exercise and three to six constant-load exercises at varying degrees of load using an electro-braked bicycle ergometer. Heart rate, ventilation, and gas exchange were measured during both types of exercise, and chemical parameters of the subject's blood (blood gas, pH, lactate, and electrolytes) were determined during two intensities of constant-load exercise. The time courses of cardiorespiratory and blood chemical data 3 min after the onset of constant-load exercise were fitted by linear regressions to see whether these parameters had reached the steady state or not. Heart rate increased significantly at a lower intensity of constant-load exercise than VE, VO2, and VCO2. While the increase in VCO2 was slower than that of VO2, a definite difference in time courses was not found between VE and VO2. The time courses of changes in blood gas, pH, bicarbonate, and lactate were not correlated with those of VO2. However, changes in blood potassium concentration were closely correlated with those of VO2 in terms of time courses and magnitude. This suggests the possibility that blood potassium may play an important role in the control of VO2 time course during constant-load exercise.