The Impact of 32 Days’ Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia on Physiological Cost of Sub-Maximal Work Performed at the Sea Level

Authors

Sylwester Kujach, Jedrzej Sniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Department of Physiology, Poland
Tomasz Grzywacz, Jedrzej Sniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Department of Physiology, Poland; 2 Kazimierz Górski Higher School of Sports, Lodz, Poland
Ewa Ziemann, 3 Warsaw School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Physiotherapy, Sopot, Poland
Robert Szymczak, Medical University of Gdansk, Clinical Department of Emergency Medicine, Poland
Marcin Luszczyk, Jedrzej Sniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Department of Physiology, Poland
Radoslaw Laskowski, Jedrzej Sniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Department of Physiology, Poland; Kazimierz Gorski Higher School of Sports, Lodz, PolandFollow

Abstract

Background: Many papers showed that long-lasting exposure to hypobaric hypoxia changed the metabolic cost of work and substrate contribution, elevating exercise energy expenditure and carbohydrates utilization. Only few of them have shown how long this adaptive changes are maintained. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of prolonged sojourn at high altitude on the physiological cost of sub-maximal work performed at the sea level. Materials and methods: Eight members of two high altitude expeditions (Lenin Peak 7,134 m a.s.l. and Somoni Peak 7,495 m a.s.l.), 7 males and 1 female, mean age 26 (±4.1) years, volunteered for this study. Aerobic performance was measured by a direct method (breath-by-breath) using an expiratory gas analyser (Oxycon Pro, Jaeger) with an incremental exercise test till exhaustion. The sea level examinations were performed 7 days before the expedition (BEx) and 7 days after (AEx) the last day at over 2,500 m a.s.l. Participants spent 32 (±3) days over 2,500 m a.s.l. at the mean altitude of 4,712 m a.s.l. (±499 m). Results: Prolonged sojourn at high altitude has changed the ventilatory parameters of submaximal work measured at the sea level. The sojourn resulted in an increase in the ventilatory volume (tidal volume, minute ventilation and breath frequency) during the sub-maximal work performed with the same workload. However, the respiratory exchange ratio remained at a high level compared to the baseline. Conclusions: We suggest that the adaptive changes introduced during the sojourn remain at the sea level and cause increased carbohydrate metabolism.

Recommended Citation

Kujach S, Grzywacz T, Ziemann E, Szumczak R, Luszczak M, Laskowski R. The Impact of 32 Days’ Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia on Physiological Cost of Sub-Maximal Work Performed at the Sea Level. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2011;3(1):19-25. doi:10.2478/v10131-011-0002-8

DOI

10.2478/v10131-011-0002-8

Author ORCID Identifier

Sylwester Kujach https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5520-1748; Ewa Ziemann https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6361-0020; Radoslaw Laskowski https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5216-9500

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.