Thermal drive contributes to hyperventilation during exercise in sheep

Pauline L. Entin, David Robertshaw, Richard E. Rawson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The etiology of exercise hypocapnia is unknown. The contributions of exercise intensity (ExInt), lactic acid, environmental temperature, rectal temperature (T(re)), and physical conditioning to the variance in arterial CO2 tension (Pa(CO2)) in the exercising sheep were quantified. We hypothesized that thermal drive contributes to hyperventilation. Four unshorn sheep were exercised at ~30, 50, and 70% of maximal O2 consumption for 30 min, or until exhaustion, both before and after 5 wk of physical conditioning. In addition, two of the sheep were shorn and exercised at each intensity in a cold (<15°C) environment. Tre and O2 consumption were measured continuously. Lactic acid and Pa(CO2) were measured at 5- to 10- min intervals. Data were analyzed by multiple regression on Pa(CO2). During exercise, T(re) rose and Pa(CO2) fell, except at the lowest ExInt in the cold environment. T(re) explained 77% of the variance in Pa(CO2), and ExInt explained 5%. All other variables were insignificant. We conclude that, in sheep, thermal drive contributes to hyperventilation during exercise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-325
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
Volume85
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1998

Keywords

  • Blood gases
  • Hyperthermia
  • Hypocapnia
  • Respiratory alkalosis
  • Respiratory control
  • Thermoregulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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