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THE EFFECTS OF HELIOX ON HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS DURING MAXIMAL EXERCISE

Abstract

C. O’Connor, C. Epperson, B. Lindsay, J. Koon, D. McCann

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Substitution of helium for the nitrogen in room air is known as a heliox mixture and significantly lowers the density of air and the work of breathing in comparison to normal room air. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if inhalation of an 80/20 heliox gas during the 30 s of a Wingate test affects pulmonary ventilation , peak power (PP), average power (AP) and the fatigue index (FI). METHODS: Six male and six female subjects (21.0 ± 0.71 yr) participated in this single-blind study. Subjects performed two Wingate tests in a single-blind randomized and balanced design under two conditions, once breathing room air and once breathing an 80/20 percentage of helium and oxygen, respectively. PP, AP, FI, , tidal volume (TV) and breathing frequency (RR) were measured continuously before, during and after the Wingate tests. The subjects breathed from a weather balloon full of the appropriate gas during only during the 30 s test. A mass of 7.5 % of the individual’s body weight was used to provide the pedal resistance during the test. Ventilatory responses were measured using a commercially available metabolic system. RESULTS: Paired t-tests indicated there were no significant differences between the two conditions for PP (mean difference ±SE= 8.6±15.5 W, p= 0.59), AP (mean difference ±SE= 9.6±8.0 W,p= 0.26), or FI (mean difference ±SE= 4.5±3.0 %, p= 0.17). Additionally, , TV, and RR all increased linearly throughout the 30 s Wingate test for both conditions in a remarkably similar pattern of equal magnitude. CONCLUSION: Breathing a low density heliox gas mixture does not affect the ventilatory response anaerobic performance during short-term intense exercise.

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