PHD, Kent State University, 2018, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

The purpose of this study is to determine if tissue oxygenation is compromised at altitude during submaximal and maximal bouts of exercise and whether reducing the active muscle mass exercise can be used to offset any observed decrement due to increases in blood flow. Ten individuals performed submaximal double leg cycling for four minutes at 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of their maximal oxygen consumption, rested for 15 minutes and then performed submaximal single leg cycling utilizing the same protocol but at half the double leg work rate in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (oxygen concentration of 15% which simulated an altitude of 2,740 meters). Ten individuals performed a maximal double leg 30 second anaerobic Wingate test, rested for 15 minutes and then performed a maximal single leg 30 second anaerobic Wingate test in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In the first study, no difference was found in the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin when comparing the single leg trial in hypoxia to the double leg trials in normoxia (p = 0.36) and hypoxia (p = 0.13). In the second study, both single leg trials had increased amounts of oxygenated hemoglobin compared the two double leg trials although these amounts are not significant (p = 0.47). In general, we found that increased blood flow leads to an increase in tissue perfusion with single leg cycling which could allow for greater muscle specific work rates when compared to double leg cycling and can be accomplished with reduced cardiovascular stress.

Committee: John McDaniel Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Ellen Glickman Ph.D. (Committee Member); J. Derek Kingsley Ph.D. (Committee Member); Andrew Lepp Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Sciences; Physiology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2010, ED Physical Activities and Educational Services

"Live High-Train Low" (LHTL) altitude acclimatization has been shown to increase athletic endurance performance; however, this type of training has been associated with decreases in mucosal immune system function as measured by salivary IgA antibodies (Tiollier et al., 2005). Physiological effects of altitude, strenuous training, and isolation from family could be additive stresses that depress the immune system (Walsh et al., 2006). Babcock and Kirby (2008) have shown that a simulated intermittent altitude exposure (IE) device utilized for short durations has the same performance enhancing effects as LHTL; however, the effect of IE via re-breathing on running performance and maintenance of immune system functionality has not been established. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of IE on running performance and the mucosal immune system. METHODS: Sixteen well-trained male runners/triathletes were exposed to the hypoxic stimulus for fifteen days. IE was administered using a simple device (Alto2Lab, Pharma Pacific, Inc.) consisting of a breathing tube attached to an open-ended silo containing carbon-dioxide absorptive soda lime. Oxygen saturation was monitored with a pulse oximeter, and progressively reduced (90% on Day 1 to 77% on Day 6-15; equivalent altitudes equal 3600-6200 m) for treatment group 1 (LON) or held constant for treatment group 2 (SHO, 90%; Day 1-15); the control group (CON) was not exposed to the IE. Time to complete a 10K race was tested at baseline and post-treatment. Salivary IgA was compared from baseline to post-treatment using ELISA. Comparisons between groups were made using the non-parametric unpaired Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Time to complete the 10K race significantly decreased for the LON treatment group compared to CON (p<0.05). There was a non-significant improvement in run performance for the SHO group. No significant decrease in salivary IgA antibodies was detected in any of the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A simple, cost-effective, de (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Steven Devor PhD (Advisor); Timothy Kirby PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Anatomy and Physiology; Health; Immunology