Arterial O2 saturation and maximum O2 consumption in moderate-altitude runners exposed to sea level and 3,050 m

What Researchers Did

Researchers studied how trained runners living at moderate altitude responded to acute exposure to sea level and higher altitude in a specialized chamber.

What They Found

At their usual altitude of 1,520 meters, runners had an average maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) of 67.7 mL/kg/min. When exposed to 3,050 meters, their VO2max dropped significantly by 16.5% to 56.5 mL/kg/min, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) fell from 89.1% to 79.5% during exercise. Conversely, at sea level, VO2max increased by 6.9% to 72.4 mL/kg/min, and SaO2 dropped less, from 96.9% to 92.1% during exercise.

Canadian Relevance

No direct Canadian connection identified.

Study Limitations

This study involved a small group of 12 runners and examined only acute exposures to different altitudes in a controlled chamber setting.