Critical capillary PO2 and the role of lactate production in oxyhemoglobin dissociation during exercise

• Published in: Advances in experimental medicine and biology Vol. 471; p. 321
• Main Author: Wasserman, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1999
• Subjects: Acidosis, Lactic - metabolism; Adult; Blood Gas Analysis; Buffers; Capillaries - metabolism; Cardiac Output, Low - metabolism; Exercise - physiology; Femoral Vein - metabolism; Humans; Lactic Acid - biosynthesis; Oxygen - metabolism; Oxyhemoglobins - metabolism

During exercise, O2 transport from capillary to myocyte is not diffusion-limited until end-capillary PO2 reaches its lowest value (critical capillary PO2). Critical capillary PO2 is reached at the mid-level of the subject's work capacity, not at Vo2 max. Femoral vein lactate does not increase u...