RESPONSE OF WOMEN MOUNTAINEERS TO MAXIMAL EXERCISE DURING HYPOXIA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (7) , 657-662
Abstract
Eight members of the American Women''s Himalayan Expedition, ranging in age from 20-49, performed maximal exercise on a treadmill under normoxic and acute hypoxic (12.58% O2) conditions. Normoxic values for .ovrhdot.VO2 max [maximal oxygen consumption] were above average for all subjects and did not decline with age. The mean decrease in .ovrhdot.VO2 max (26.7%) during hypoxia was equivalent to that reported for younger males, which suggests that age was not a factor in response to hypoxia. Maximal heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, O2 pulse and walk time were lower in hypoxia while ventilatory equivalent and blood lactate were higher. .ovrhdot.VE max [maximal ventilatory volume] was the same under both conditions. Women are capable of performing hard work at high altitude if they are in good condition and properly acclimatized.