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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/180437
Severe hypoxic exercise does not impair lung diffusion in elite swimmers
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Background: Exercise performed at high-altitude may cause a sub-clinical pulmonary interstitial edema which can worsen gas exchange function. This study aimed to evaluate whether there are changes in alveolar-capillary diffusion after exercise during a short-term exposure to hypobaric hypoxia in elite swimmers. Materials & Methods: Seven elite swimmers [age: 20.4 ± 1.4 years, height: 1.78 ± 10.8 m, body mass (BM): 69.7 ± 11.1 kg] participated in the study. Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), transfer coefficient of carbon monoxide (KCO), pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured at sea level at rest (SL-R), and after a short-term hypobaric hypoxia exposure (4,000 m), both at rest (HA-R) and at the end of moderate interval exercise (HA-E). Results: The combined exposure to high-altitude and exercise did not change DLCO from SL-R to HA-R, or HA-E (43.8 ± 9.8 to 41.3 ± 10.5 to 42.4 ± 8.6 ml·min-1·mmHg-1, P = 0.391). As expected, elite swimmers showed large decrease in SpO2 (72 ± 5; P < 0.001) and increase in HR (139 ± 9 beats·min-1; P < 0.003) after HA-E. Conclusions: An acute high-altitude exposure combined with submaximal exercise does not change alveolar-capillary diffusion in elite swimmers.
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GARCÍA ALDAY, Iker, et al. Severe hypoxic exercise does not impair lung diffusion in elite swimmers. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2021. Vol. 22, num. 1, pags. 90-95. ISSN 1527-0297. [consulted: 10 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/180437