The effects were examined of 6-month intermittent hypobaric (4000 m) exposure on the antioxidant enzyme systems in soleus and tibialis muscles of rats. At the end of the 6-month experimental exposure, the six rats in both the exposed group and the control group were sacrificed. Immunoreactive mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) contents were measured as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes [Mn-SOD, cytosolic SOD (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)]. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were also determined as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. The high altitude exposure resulted in a marked increase in TBARS content in soleus muscle, suggesting increased levels of oxygen free radicals. Conversely, significant decreases in both Mn-SOD content and activity in soleus muscle were noted after exposure. Such trends were not noticed in tibialis muscle. On the other hand, no significant changes in Cu,Zn-SOD, CAT, or GPX were observed in either muscle. These results suggested that the increases in lipid peroxidation were most probably a result of decreased Mn-SOD function which was more depressed in oxidative than in glycolytic muscle.

PurposeEvaluation of metabolic parameters and cardiac function is important to determine the decrease in aerobic exercise capacity under hypoxic conditions. However, the variations in metabolic parameters and cardiac function and the reasons for the decrease in aerobic exercise capacity under hypoxic conditions have not been clearly explained. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses between sea level and various acute normobaric hypoxic conditions on metabolic parameters and cardiac function during exercise and recovery in order to evaluate aerobic exercise capacity.MethodsTen healthy male participants (21.3 ± 3.06 y) performed submaximal bicycle exercise (116.7 ± 20.1 W and 60 rpm) at sea level (20.9 % O2) and under various normobaric hypoxic conditions (16.5 % O2, 14.5 % O2, 12.8 % O2, and 11.2 % O2) in a random order. Metabolic parameters (arterial oxygen saturation; SPO2, oxygen consumption; VO2, blood lactate level) and cardiac function (heart rate; HR, stroke volume; SV, end-systolic volume; ESV, end-diastolic volume; EDV, ejection fraction; EF, cardiac output; CO) were measured at rest, during exercise (30 min), and recovery (30 min). We compared the responses on metabolic parameters and cardiac function between the different oxygen partial pressure conditions during exercise and recovery.ResultsThe various acute normobaric hypoxic conditions did not affect VO2 and SV during exercise and recovery. SPO2 decreased (p < .05) and blood lactate level increased (p < .05) as the oxygen partial pressure decreased. HR, EF, CO increased (p < .05) and EDV, ESV decreased (p < .05) at oxygen partial pressures of 14.5 % O2 and below compared with 20.9 and 16.5 % O2 during exercise and recovery.ConclusionA decrease in the oxygen partial pressure to 14.5 % O2 and below might be associated with significant changes in metabolic parameters and cardiac function during exercise and recovery. These changes are an acute compensation response to reduced aerobic exercise capacity by decreased oxygen delivering and utilizing capacities under hypoxic conditions.

Even though exercise hemorheology at hypoxic condition has been considered as a good tool to understand clinical hemorheology, there have been limited studies reported. Previous researches showed that hemorheological variables are closely correlated with oxygen delivery capacity during exercise. The present study investigated hypoxic responses including RBC deformability and aggregation, metabolic parameters and complete blood cell counts at various hypoxic conditions during cycling exercise and recovery. Eleven Korean healthy male subjects performed submaximal bike exercise at sea level (20.9% O2) and under various hypoxic conditions (16.5% O2, 14.5% O2, 12.8% O2, and 11.2% O2) in a random order. The submaximal bike exercise intensity of the subjects was 70% maximum heart rate at sea level. All variables were measured at rest, during exercise and recovery 30-minute, respectively. As oxygen partial pressure decreased, arterial blood oxygen saturation decreased but oxygen uptake did not change much. Heart rate and lactate concentration during exercise increased when oxygen partial pressure is less than or equal to 14.5% O2 condition. Red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin counts, and hematocrit level were not apparently altered with hypoxic conditions. RBC deformability showed significant alterations at 11.2% O2 conditions compared with other hypoxic conditions during exercise or recovery, except at 10 minutes recovery. However, decreases in oxygen partial pressure did not affect red blood cell aggregation. Therefore, we conclude that alterations in RBC deformability may reduce aerobic capabilities at hypoxic condition.

[Purpose]The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of whole-body passive vibration exercise and its differences from aerobic exercise on body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC).[Methods]Obese middle-aged women (n=33 out of 45) with 34±3% body fat completed the training protocol. They were randomly assigned into diet (n=9; control group), diet plus whole-body vibration exercise (n=13; vibration group), and diet plus aerobic exercise (n=11; aerobic group) groups and we compared their body composition, BMD, and BMC before and after 9 months of training. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake among groups during the training period.[Results]Relative body fat (%) decreased significantly (p < .05) in all three groups and the exercise groups showed a greater reduction in fat mass than the diet only group. BMD in the whole body, lumbar spine, hip and forearm were not significantly different among the three groups. Total body BMC increased significantly in the vibration group throughout the first 6 months of training.[Conclusion]Results suggest that long- term vibration training when used in conjunction with a diet program is as effective as aerobic exercise with a diet program in improving body composition of obese middle-aged women without compromising BMC or BMD. Thus, it can be considered a novel and effective method for reducing body fat.

[Purpose]The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of 4 weeks fixed and mixed intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) and its difference from exercise training at sea-level on exercise load, respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of capillary blood during 80% maximal heart rate (HRmax) bicycle exercise in male elite Taekwondo players.[Methods]Male elite Taekwondo players (n = 25 out of 33) were randomly assigned to training at sea-level (n = 8, control group), training at 16.5%O2 (2000 m) simulated hypoxic condition (n = 9, fixed IHT group), and training at 14.5%O2 (3000 m) up to 2 weeks and 16.5%O2 (2000 m) simulated hypoxic condition (n = 8, mixed IHT group) for 3 weeks. We compared their average exercise load, respiratory metabolic, and acid-base response of the capillary blood during 80% HRmax submaximal bicycle exercise before and after 4 weeks training.[Results]Fixed and mixed IHT groups showed positive improvement in respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of the capillary blood during 80% HRmax submaximal bicycle exercise after 4 weeks training. However, all dependent variables showed no significant difference between fixed IHT and mix IHT.[Conclusion]Results suggested that mixed and fixed IHT is effective in improving respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of capillary blood in male elite Taekwondo players. Thus, IHT could be a novel and effective method for improving exercise performance through respiratory metabolic and acid-base response.