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Published on: March 15, 2019
Prevalence of Exercise-Induced Arterial Hypoxemia in Distance Runners at Sea Level
Keren Constantini1, David A Tanner, Timothy P Gavin
11HH Morris Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; 2Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN; and 3Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) is more prevalent in highly trained male runners during maximal treadmill running than previously reported. This study found that 84% of athletes experienced EIAH, suggesting exercise mode impacts hypoxemia occurrence.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) affects approximately 50% of endurance-trained men during strenuous exercise.
- Previous prevalence estimates are based on limited studies using cycle ergometry, potentially underestimating EIAH during other exercise modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of EIAH in a larger cohort of highly endurance-trained men during maximal treadmill running.
- To compare EIAH prevalence during treadmill exercise with previously reported data from cycle ergometry.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from 124 highly trained male distance runners (V˙O2max range: 60.3–84.7 mL·kg·min).
- Subjects performed a progressive-grade treadmill test to exhaustion.
- Arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2ear) was estimated using a Hewlett Packard 47201A oximeter.
Main Results:
- 70% of subjects (55 of 79) met criteria for EIAH (SaO2ear ≤ 91%).
- Across all 124 subjects, 84% demonstrated at least moderate EIAH (SaO2ear ≤ 93%) during maximal treadmill exercise.
- SaO2ear showed weak correlations with ventilation efficiency (V˙E/V˙O2 and V˙E/V˙CO2) but not with V˙O2max.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of EIAH in highly trained men during maximal treadmill exercise is higher than previously suggested.
- Exercise mode, such as treadmill running versus cycling, may influence the incidence of EIAH in athletes.
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