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Systemic oxygen extraction during exercise at high altitude
D S Martin1, A Cobb2, P Meale2
1UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Sport and Exercise Health, University College London Centre for Altitude Space and Extreme Environment Medicine, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London W1 T 7HA, UK daniel.martin@ucl.ac.uk.
Hypoxaemia at high altitude did not increase tissue oxygen extraction during exercise. This suggests that oxygen extraction may be limited in acclimatized individuals after prolonged exposure to low oxygen.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Classic teaching posits increased tissue oxygen extraction during hypoxaemia.
- Evidence supporting this in hypoxaemia (vs. anemia or cardiac failure) is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate systemic oxygen extraction during exercise in hypoxaemia.
- To determine if tissue oxygen extraction increases with acclimatization to high altitude.
Main Methods:
- Measured systemic oxygen extraction (C(a-v)O2) at rest and peak exercise.
- Calculated absolute C(a-v)O2 by subtracting central venous oxygen content from arterial oxygen content.
- Determined oxygen uptake (VO2) via expired gas analysis.
Main Results:
- High altitude (4559 m) induced significant hypoxaemia.
- Absolute C(a-v)O2 decreased during peak exercise at altitude compared to sea level.
- No significant change in oxygen extraction ratio (OER) was observed between altitudes.
Conclusions:
- Maximum absolute oxygen extraction declined during exercise at 4559 m.
- Oxygen extraction ratio remained unchanged, suggesting potential limitations in oxygen extraction after acclimatization to hypoxaemia.
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