Recovery of pulmonary diffusing capacity after maximal exercise |
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| Authors: | Jess Rasmussen Birgitte Hanel Kari Saunamaki Niels H Secher |
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| Institution: | Departments of Internal Medicine B and Anaesthesia, and Exercise Physiology Unit, Rigshospitalet 2034 , University of Copenhagen , Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, DK‐2100, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Pulmonary diffusing capacity (Dlco), together with spirometric variables, arterial oxygen tension (paO2) and cardiac output were determined before and at intervals after maximal arm cranking, treadmill running and erogmeter rowing. Independent of the type of exercise, Dlco increased immediately post‐exercise from a median 13.6 (range 7.3–16.3) to 15.1 (9.3–19.6) mmol min‐1 kPa‐1 (P <0.01). However, it decreased to 11.6 (6.9–15.5) mmol min‐1 kPa‐1 (P <0.01) after 24 h with cardiac output and paO2 at resting values, and Dlco normalized after 20 h. Thoracic electrical impedance at 2.5 and 100 kHz increased slightly post‐exercise, indicating a decrease in thoracic fluid balance, and there were no echocardiographic signs of left ventricular failure at the time of the decrease in Dlco. Also, active muscle (limb) circumference and volume, and an increase in haematocrit from 43.8 (38.0–47.0) to 47.1 (42.7–49.8) (P <0.01), had normalized at the time of the decrease in Dlco. Vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak and peak mid‐expiratory flows did not change. However, total lung capacity increased from 6.8 (5.0–7.6) to 7.0 (5.1–7.8) litres (P <0.05) immediately after exercise and remained elevated at 6.9 (5.1–8.7) litres (P <0.05) when a decrease in Dlco was noted. The results demonstrate that independent of the type of maximal exercise, an approximate 15% reduction in Dlco takes place 2–3 h post‐exercise, which normalizes during the following day of recovery. |
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| Keywords: | Arm cranking arterial oxygen tension blood volume cardiac output echocardiography maximal oxygen uptake running rowing spirometry thoracic impedance |
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