The effects of endurance exercise in hypoxia on acid-base balance and potassium kinetics: a randomized crossover design in male endurance athletes
Abstract Background Exercise-induced disturbance of acid-base balance and accumulation of extracellular potassium (K+) are suggested to elicit fatigue. Exercise under hypoxic conditions may augment exercise-induced alterations of these two factors compared with exercise under normoxia. In the presen...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Sports Medicine - Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-018-0160-1 |
| Summary: | Abstract Background Exercise-induced disturbance of acid-base balance and accumulation of extracellular potassium (K+) are suggested to elicit fatigue. Exercise under hypoxic conditions may augment exercise-induced alterations of these two factors compared with exercise under normoxia. In the present study, we investigated acid-base balance and potassium kinetics in response to exercise under moderate hypoxic conditions in endurance athletes. Methods Nine trained middle-to-long distance athletes [maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) 57.2 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min] completed two different trials on different days, consisting of exercise in moderate hypoxia [fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) = 14.5%, H trial] and exercise in normoxia (FiO2 = 20.9%, N trial). They performed interval endurance exercise (8 × 4 min pedaling at 80% of VO2max alternated with 2-min intervals of active rest at 40% of VO2max) under hypoxic or normoxic conditions. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine blood lactate, pH, bicarbonate ion, and K+ concentrations before exercise, during exercise, and after exercise. Results The blood lactate concentrations increased significantly with exercise in both trials. Exercise-induced blood lactate elevations were significantly greater in the N trial than in the H trial at all time points (P = 0.012). Bicarbonate ion concentrations (P = 0.001) and blood pH (P = 0.019) during exercise and post-exercise periods were significantly lower in the N trial than in the H trial. A significantly greater exercise-induced elevation in blood K+ concentration was produced in the N trial than in the H trial during exercise and immediately after exercise (P = 0.03). Conclusions High-intensity interval exercise on a cycle ergometer under moderate hypoxic conditions did not elicit a decrease in blood pH or elevation in K+ levels compared with an equivalent level of exercise under normoxic conditions. |
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| ISSN: | 2199-1170 2198-9761 |