Oxygen uptake in man during exhaustive work at sea level and high altitude.

Abstract
Oxygen uptake (V02) was measured in 16 healthy soldier volunteers at sea level and 4300 m (Pikes Peak) before, during, and after exercise on the bicycle ergometer. VO2''S at 4300 m were similar to sea-level values at rest and during mild and moderate exercise. Mean maximum VO2 at 4300 m was 83% of sea-level value and was unaffected by rate of ascent. Resting and exercise ventilations increased at 4300 m, 1st by a rise in breathing frequencies and later by an increase in tidal volumes. During increasing exercise at 4300 m, the alveolar-arterial difference for O2 increased more than at sea level and the O2 saturation of arterial blood decreased. During maximum work the O2 saturation of mixed venous blood did not decline to sea-level values. Total work until exhaustion did not improve after 2 weeks at 4300 m despite rises in maximum exercise ventilation and O2 content of arterial blood. Physical training at 4300 m was of no greater value than similar training at sea level in increasing sea-level maximum VO2.

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