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Table 1 Studies comparing carbohydrate oxidation rate during exercise at the same absolute intensity at sea level and high altitude

From: Commentary on the effects of hypoxia on energy substrate use during exercise

Study

Subjects

Exercise type, intensity and VO2

%VO2max

Fed or Fasted

Altitude

Duration before test

Cho ox, g/min

Cho ox, %

Lundby & Van Hall (2002)

6 ♂ + 2♀

CE, 154 W, 60 min VO2 = 1.9 L/min (SL) VO2 = 1.9 L/min (HA)

SL = 45 HA = 54

Fed 2 h before CE

4,100 m

10 min

SL = 2.0

SL = 74

HA = 2.5*

HA = 87*

Peronnet et al., (2006)

5 ♂

CE. 169 W, 80 min VO2 = 2.3 L/min (SL) VO2 = 2.2 L/min (HA)

SL = 54% HA = 78%

Fed, 3 h before CE

4,300 m

15 min

SL = 2.0

SL = 75

HA = 2.6*

HA = 92*

Young et al., (2018)a

6 ♂

TMW, 1.6–1.7 m/sec VO2 = 1.6 L/min (SL) VO2 = 1.6 L/min (HA)

SL = 40% HA = 60%

Fasted

4,300 m

5–6 h

SL = 1.2

SL = 57

HA = 1.1

HA = 53

Young et al., (2018)b

8 ♂

TMW, 1.6–1.8 m/sec VO2 = 1.8 L/min (SL) VO2 = 1.7 L/min (HA)

SL = 40% HA = 60%

Fed during TMW

4,300 m

5–6 h

SL = 1.7

SL = 78

HA = 1.5

HA = 70

  1. Studies measuring carbohydrate oxidation (Cho ox, g/min) and % total energy expenditure derived by Cho ox (Cho ox, %) during exercise (cycle, CE; treadmill walking, TMW) at sea level (SL) and during first 24-h at high altitude (HA). Superscripts a and b indicate different trials from same study. *different from SL (P < 0.05); different from corresponding HA trial in that study (P < 0.05)