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Published on: March 15, 2019
Ageing and cardiorespiratory response to hypoxia
François J Lhuissier1, Florence Canouï-Poitrine, Jean-Paul Richalet
1University of Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cit´e, EA2363 ‘Réponses cellulaires et fonctionnelles àl'hypoxie', Bobigny, France.
The Journal of Physiology
|August 22, 2012
Summary
Aging improves respiratory response to hypoxia in men but blunts cardiac response in both sexes. Exercise training preserves these adaptations, especially in older adults, and mitigates menopause effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Human Adaptation to Hypoxia
Background:
- Altitude-induced diseases depend on physiological responses to hypoxia, influenced by age, sex, and training.
- The impact of aging on these hypoxia adaptations remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aging affects cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia.
- To evaluate the influence of sex, training status, and menopause on these adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study (4675 participants, 14-85 years) and longitudinal study (30 participants).
- Measured hypoxia-induced desaturation, and ventilatory and cardiac responses at rest and during exercise.
Main Results:
- Aging increased ventilatory response and reduced desaturation in men.
- Cardiac response to hypoxia blunted with age in both sexes.
- Post-menopausal women showed diminished adaptive responses.
- Training preserved cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia, especially in older individuals.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory adaptations to hypoxia change with age, with distinct patterns in men and women.
- Exercise training plays a crucial role in maintaining these responses across the lifespan and mitigating age-related declines and menopausal effects.
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