Altitude and air pollution

Lower atmospheric PO2 and Lower air temperature

What are the two environmental conditions at high altitude that can pose problems for exercise performance and safety?

With increasing altitude there is a lower atmospheric (air) PO2. This is due to ↓ barometric P,
not ↓ %O2 in air

Describe the effect of increasing altitude on barometric pressure, % oxygen, and partial pressure of oxygen. What accounts for the low PO2 in the air at high altitude?

Hypoxia = lower air PO2, which results in Hypoxemia = lower arterial PO2. This results in a
lower arterial O2 content, which means less O2 delivered to the muscles

Explain the link between hypoxia and hypoxemia at altitude. What implications might this
have for exercise performance?

VO2max = HRmax x SVmax x aO2-vO2max

Why does VO2max decline at high altitude?

At the same VO2 (intensity), HR is higher to compensate for lower a-vO2 at altitude
At the same VO2 (intensity), ventilation (VE) is higher to compensate for lower O2 per L of
air

Describe the effect of altitude on the heart rate and ventilation responses to submaximal
exercise and why they change as they do.

↓ PO2 air = ↓ PO2 arterial [= ↓ VO2max] = ↑ EPO = ↑ RBCs = ↑ HbO2 = ↑ PO2 arterial [= ↑
VO2max]

Describe the effect of adaptation to altitude on hemoglobin concentration and VO2max.

Live at high altitude = ↑ EPO = ↑ VO2max
Train at low altitude = training intensity is high to ↑ VO2max

Explain why “live high, train low” describes a good strategy for improving endurance
performance.

rise CO = HbCO = ¯ HbO2 = ¯ arterial O2 = ¯ VO2max

Describe the effect of carbon monoxide on VO2max