Increases in submaximal cycling efficiency mediated by altitude acclimatization

To investigate the hypothesis that respiratory gas exchange and, in particu lar, the O-2 consumption ((V) over dot O-2) response to exercise is altered after a 21-day expedition to 6,194 m, five male climbers (age 28.2 +/- 2 y r; weight 76.9 +/- 4.3 kg; means +/- SE) performed a progressive and prolon ged two-step cycle test both before and 3-4 days after return to sea level. During both exercise tests, a depression (P < 0.05) in (V) over dot O-2 (1 /min) and an increase (P < 0.05) in minute ventilation ((V) over dot E BTPS ; 1/min) and respiratory exchange ratio were observed after the expedition. These changes occurred in the absence of changes in CO2 production (1/min) . During steady-state submaximal exercise, net efficiency, calculated from the rates of the mechanical power output to the energy expended ((V) over d ot O-2) above that measured at rest, increased (P < 0.05) from 25.9 +/- 1.6 to 31.3 +/- 1.3% at the lighter power output and from 24.4 +/- 1.3 to 29.5 +/- 1.5% at the heavy power output. These changes were accompanied by a 4. 58 reduction (P < 0.05) in peak (V) over dot O-2, (3.99 +/- 0.17 vs. 3.81 /- 0.18 1/min). After the expedition, an increase (P < 0.05) in hemoglobin concentration (15.0 +/- 0.49 vs. 15.8 +/- 0.41 g/100 ml) was found. It is c oncluded that, because resting (V) over dot O-2 was unchanged, net efficien cy is enhanced during submaximal exercise after a mountaineering expedition when the exercise is performed soon after return to sea level conditions.