COMPARISON OF EXERCISE RESPONSES OF MALES AND FEMALES DURING ACUTE EXPOSURE TO HYPOBARIA

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (2) , 415-418
Abstract
College students, 17 male and 20 female, were tested on a bicycle ergometer in a hypobaric chamber to determine whether both sexes had similar submaximum and maximum exercise responses to acute hypoxia. Initial testing was at a terrestrial altitude of 1576 m, to which subjects were acclimated; subsequent tests were at simulated altitudes of 2743 m and 3962 m. Analysis of covariance showed that inspired .ovrhdot.V [ventilation] was the only variable during submaximum work (50% maximum) to exhibit a significant difference in altitude response between males and females; women had a smaller increase than men. During maximum work, .ovrhdot.V and O2 pulse increased less in women. At 2743 m, maximum .ovrhdot.VO2 decreased more in females whereas, at 3962 m, no difference was noted. During submaximum and maximum work with acute altitude exposure, women demonstrated smaller relative increases in ventilation than men.

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