Robergs, R. A., Quintana, R., Parker, D., & Frankel, C. C. (1997). Gender specific decrement in VO2max with increasing hypobaric hypoxia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 777.

This study determined if gender specific changes occurred in the decrement in VO2max from sea level at altitudes of 984 m (3,000 ft), 1,640 m (5,000 ft), and 2,625 m (8,000 ft).

Ss (M = 7; F = 7) residing between 1640 and 2460 m completed cycle ergometry tests of VO2max at each altitude in a hypo/hyperbaric chamber.

Females had significantly less decrement (10%) change in VO2max than males (23%) between sea level and 2,625 m. Detectable differences emerged at 984 m. Gender differences could not be attributed to differences in hypoxemia or fitness.

Implication. Females retain a larger percent of their VO2max during increasing hypobaric hypoxia (altitude) than males. This difference is unrelated to hemoglobin oxygen saturation and cardiorespiratory endurance.

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