Gas exchanges during exercise in normoxia and hyperoxia

Exercises of constant workload (90 watt) have been carried out during normoxia or hyperoxia FIO2 = 0.45). It has been shown that, in spite of a significant dispersion in the values of O2 deficit and O2 debt calculated, these values are related to the increased blood lactate level which contributes to the marked acidosis observed in both conditions of oxygenation. Hyperoxia reduces lactate level as well as the O2 debt. In addition to the significant increase in arterial [H+] and PCO2, exercise provokes a slight decrease in PO2. It is suggested that the significant variations of these humoral factors might contribute to the control of ventilation during exercise in both conditions of oxygenation.