Comparison of different indexes for assessing aerobic exercise capacity in military staff in high-altitude regions

Di-san junyi daxue xuebao

XIANG Bin¹  XIE Shenwei²  LI Peng³  XIANG Bin1³ 

[1] Department of High Altitude Operational Medicine, Army Medical University(Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038;Institute of Medicine and Hygienic Equipment for High Altitude Region, Army Medical University(Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038;Shigatse Hospital of Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University(Third Military Medical University), Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, 857000, China ;

关键词: high altitudes;    aerobic exercise capacity;    evaluation;    oxygen saturation;    physical work capacity;    physical fitness;   

DOI  :  10.16016/j.1000-5404.201909215

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objective To compare the accuracy of different indexes based on heart rate and blood oxygen saturation level for evaluating aerobic exercise capacity among the military staff serving in high-altitude regions. Methods We recruited 240 subjects from the military staff stationed in high-altitude (ranging from 3 850 m, 4 100 m and 4550 m) regions and 76 subjects serving in a low-altitude (below 500 m) region. We tested the performance of the subjects in 3000-meter running and assessed their Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the exercise. The heart rate (HR) and blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) were recorded before, during and after two-level quantitative loaded step exercise to calculate the physical work capacity at 170/150 beats/min (PWC170/150), maximal volume of oxygen uptake (VO2max) and step index. The difference in SaO2 (ΔSaO2) before and after the exercise was analyzed, and the changes in blood lactate levels and myocardial enzymes were measured. The data were compared between the 2 altitude groups to analyze the correlation of the indexes with the exercise capacity of the subjects. Results At a high altitude, the elevation based on HR after intense exercise was more limited and showed a greater individual variation than at a low altitude, which caused PWC170/150-based assessment to show discrepancy between the fact that physical exercise capacity decreases with the elevation of altitudes and the performance of the individual subjects in 3000-meter running. VO2max estimated from immediate HR after low-intensity exercise and the step index derived from HRs during post-exercise recovery period were mildly correlated with the physical capacity and myocardial enzyme profiles of the subjects. ΔSaO2 after step exercise showed the best correlation with the altitudes, physical exercise capacity, blood lactic acid level and myocardial enzyme profiles after exercise. Conclusion The decrease of oxygen saturation after exercise is a reliable index for evaluating aerobic exercise capacity among military staff in high-altitude regions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown