Pulmonary Vascular Function and Aerobic Exercise Capacity at Moderate Altitude

Purpose: There has been suggestion that a greater “pulmonary vascular reserve” defined by a low pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and a high lung diffusing capacity (DL) allow for a superior aerobic exercise capacity. How pulmonary vascular reserve might affect exercise capacity at moderate altitude is not known. Methods: Thirty-eight healthy subjects underwent an exercise stress echocardiography of the pulmonary circulation, combined with measurements of DL for nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test at sea level and at an altitude of 2250 m. Results: At rest, moderate altitude decreased arterial oxygen content (CaO2) from 19.1 ± 1.6 to 18.4 ± 1.7 mL·dL−1, P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Applied Sciences Source Type: research