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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(10): 809-816
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1367012
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Greater Performance Impairment of Black Runners than White Runners when Running in Hypoxia

J. Santos-Concejero
1   UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
,
R. Tucker
1   UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
,
K. H. Myburgh
2   Stellenbosch University, Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch, South Africa
,
B. Essen-Gustavsson
3   Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
,
T. A. Kohn
1   UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 12 December 2013

Publication Date:
27 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the response of performance-matched black and white runners during maximal and sub-maximal running in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. 14 well-trained runners (8 black, 6 white) performed 2 incremental maximal exercise tests and 2 fatigue resistance tests at 21% O2 (normoxia) or 14% O2 (hypoxia). Respiratory parameters, heart rate (HR), lactate concentration ([La-]) as well as arterial saturation (SpO2) were measured. Enzyme activities and myosin heavy chain content (MHC) were also measured. White runners reached a significantly greater peak treadmill speed and a higher HRmax than black runners in hypoxia (p<0.05). Additionally, White runners achieved a greater time to fatigue than black runners (p<0.05), with black runners displaying a greater decline in performance in hypoxia compared to normoxia (20.3% vs. 13.4%, black vs. white, respectively). However, black runners presented lower [La-] and higher SpO2 than white runners in hypoxia (p<0.05). Black runners had a higher proportion of MHC IIa and higher lactate dehydrogenase activity (p<0.05). The greater performance impairment observed in black runners in hypoxia suggests a greater performance sensitivity to this condition, despite the maintenance of physiological variables such as SpO2 and [La − ] within a smaller range than white runners.

Key words

arterial saturation - time to fatigue - enzyme activity - ethnicity - lactate
 

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