Journal of applied physiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Exercise intensity typical of mountain climbing does not exacerbate acute mountain sickness in normobaric hypoxia.
Physical exertion is thought to exacerbate acute mountain sickness (AMS). In this prospective, randomized, crossover trial, we investigated whether moderate exercise worsens AMS in normobaric hypoxia (12% oxygen, equivalent to 4,500 m). Sixteen subjects were exposed to altitude twice: once with exercise [3 × 45 min within the first 4 h on a bicycle ergometer at 50% of their altitude-specific maximal workload (maximal oxygen uptake)], and once without. ⋯ After exercise, the increase in ventilation persisted for several hours and was associated with similar levels of capillary and cerebral oxygenation at the exercise and rest day. We conclude that moderate exercise at ~50% maximal oxygen uptake does not increase AMS in normobaric hypoxia. These data do not exclude that considerably higher exercise intensities exacerbate AMS.