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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

Postexercise reduction in lung diffusion capacity is not attenuated by skin cooling.

Michael L Storebø¹, Arvid Hope, Guro Vaagbø

¹Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. michael.storebo@student.uib.no

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging

|August 15, 2008

Summary

Maximal exercise temporarily reduces pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Skin cooling after exercise does not prevent this postexercise DLCO reduction, suggesting thermal stress is not the primary cause.

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Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Pulmonary Function Testing

Background:

Pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) decreases post-maximal exercise, potentially due to interstitial edema and reduced pulmonary capillary blood volume.
The role of thermal stress in this postexercise DLCO reduction is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if thermal stress contributes to the postexercise reduction in DLCO.
To determine if skin cooling can attenuate the postexercise DLCO reduction.

Main Methods:

DLCO, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC), mean surface temperature (MST), and rectal temperature were measured before and after maximal incremental cycle exercise.
Subjects underwent either cold air exposure or a control condition without shivering, with measurements repeated post-intervention.

Main Results:

DLCO was significantly reduced 90 and 120 minutes after exercise in the control condition.
Following skin cooling, DLCO remained reduced 90 and 120 minutes post-exercise, despite decreased CVC and MST.
The reduction in DLCO post-exercise was not significantly influenced by skin surface cooling.

Conclusions:

The postexercise reduction in DLCO persists even after thermal status is restored.
Further skin surface cooling does not attenuate the postexercise reduction in DLCO, indicating thermal factors are not the primary drivers.