Blood lactate disappearance during breathing hyperoxic gas after exercise in two different physical fitness groups--on the work load fixed at 70% VO2max.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of breathing hyperoxic gas on blood lactate disappearance after submaximal exercise in two different physical fitness groups and to clarify the most effective oxygen concentration in each group. Fourteen healthy male students participated as subjects in this study. They were divided in two groups by difference in their anaerobic threshold (AT). Seven males were treated as Higher AT group and the others as Lower AT group. Subjects wore a T-shirt, short pants and sports shoes and performed three sessions; each consisting of five minutes of exercise and six minutes of rest, at a workload of 70%VO2max on a bicycle ergometer. Hyperoxic gas was breathed only during recovery periods. Oxygen rates of 21, 30, 40, 60, 80 and 100% in inspired gas were employed. According to the results of blood lactate (BLA), the most effective oxygen condition on BLA disappearance was obtained over 60% in Higher AT group and at 30% oxygen in Lower AT group. Thus, it was especially noteworthy that the effects of hyperoxic gas in Higher AT group were different from those of Lower AT group. It is thought that the effects of breathing hyperoxic gas were dependent on physical fitness, which have caused many reports to be in conflict hitherto.