Acute Ventilatory Response to Ramp Exercise while Breathing Hypoxic, Normoxic, or Hyperoxic Air

Abstract

Ventilatory control during exercise is frequently investigated by examining the relation between ventilation and a potential stimulating biochemical, physiological, or neurological factor. Only rarely has ventilation been examined in relation to its primary functions: i.e., the rate of O₂ inspiration and the rate of CO₂ elimination. This study examined the primary functions of ventilation during ramp exercise while breathing either hypoxic, normoxic, or hyperoxic air under normobaric conditions.In addition, the ventilatory variables recorded were compared to absolute work rate and relative work rate since the anaerobic threshold is not difference between FIO₂ conditions when expressed as percent work rate relative to maximum work rate (6).