Load carriage physiology in normoxia and hypoxia

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effects of load carriage in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia on ventilatory responses, hemodynamics, tissue oxygenation, and metabolism.

Methods: Healthy males (n = 12) completed 3 randomly ordered baseline graded exercise tests in the following conditions: (1) unloaded normoxic (U: F_IO₂ = 20.93%), (2) loaded (~ 30 kg) normoxic (LN), and (3) loaded hypoxic simulating ~ 3650 m (LH: F_IO₂ = ~ 13%). Thereafter, experimental exercise trials were completed in quasi-randomized order (i.e., U completed first) consisting of 3 × 10 min of walking (separated by 5 min seated rest) with stages matched with the U condition (in ascending order) for relative intensity, absolute oxygen consumption ([VO₂]; 1.7 L min^-1), and walking speed (1.45 ± 0.15 m s^-1).

Results: Load carriage increased perceived exertion and reduced VO_2max (LN: - 7%; LH: - 32%; p < 0.05). At matched VO₂, stroke volume and tidal volume were reduced and maintained with LN and LH vs. U, respectively (p < 0.05). Increases in cardiac output and minute ventilation at matched VO₂ (with LH) and speed (with LN and LH), were primarily accomplished via increases in heart rate and breathing frequency (p < 0.05). Cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (O₂HHb) was increased at all intensities with LN, but deoxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin were increased with LH (p < 0.05). Muscle oxygen kinetics and substrate utilization were similar between LN and U, but LH increased CHO dependence and reduced muscle O₂HHb at matched speed (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Load carriage reduces cardiorespiratory efficiency and increases physiological strain, particularly in hypoxic environments. Potential load carriage-induced alterations in cerebral blood flow may increase the risk for altitude illnesses and requires further study.

Keywords: Altitude; Carbohydrate oxidation; Hemodynamics; Near-infrared spectroscopy; Ventilation.