Kambis, K. Yasukawa, M., Moran, T., Pleasant, A., Hafner, G., Barbour, V., Duckworthe, C., Muggleworth, A., Lautzenheiser, K., Lautenheiser, L., Vold, A., & Brophy, R. (2014). PetCO2 and SpO2 gender differences upon acute exposure to normobaric hypoxic environments simulating 3,500 m. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), Supplement abstract number 1562.

This study assessed gender differences in end-tidal CO2 and hemoglobin oxygen saturation at sea-level and in a normobaric hypoxic (13.55% FIO2) environment simulating O2 partial pressures found at 3,500 m altitude. Ss (M = 8; F = 22) rested for ~30 minutes at sea-level and for ~30 minutes in a normobaric hypoxia-chamber at 13.55% FIO2 approximating an oxygen partial pressure equivalent at 3,500 meters. End-tidal CO2 and hemoglobin oxygen saturation were measured during the final 14 minutes of each rest period.

There was a decrease in end-tidal CO2 upon acute exposure to the 13.55% FIO2 condition in both male and female Ss. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation also decreased in the hypoxic condition in both gender groups. There was no difference between genders in either the sea-level or hypoxic condition for end-tidal CO2 or hemoglobin oxygen saturation.

Implication. There were no gender differences in ventilatory responses to acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia relative to end-tidal CO2 and hemoglobin oxygen saturation.

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