Regulation of ventilation during exercise at 10,200 ft in athletes born at low altitude

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Abstract
Five champion high school track runners from Lexington, Kentucky were studied at low altitude (1000 ft.) and during 3 weeks in Leadville, Colorado (10,200 ft.). Measurements of minute ventilation (VE BTPS) respiratory frequency (f), tidal volume (VT), mixed expired oxygen concentration (FEQ2), and oxygen consumption (V02) were obtained at performance levels ranging from the basal state to maximum treadmill exercise. During maximal effort, VO2 was approximately 25% less in Leadville than in Lexington, whereas Vg BTPS, Vt, f, and FgOJ were similar at both altitudes. When each parameter was related to the absolute values of VO2 a distinct curve was obtained for each altitude. However, when related to VO2 as a percent of maximum V02 *or tne respective altitudes, when the altitude variable was virtually eliminated. The complex relationships between ventilation, altitude, and level of exertion were thereby simplified. This method of data analysis was tested against the data of Pugh et al. and was found to be in reasonable agreement considering the many altitudes involved. In fact, the similarities in data from a wide range of altitudes suggest that ventilation is regulated in part by some mechanism which senses a given effort in terms of exercise capacity.

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