Abstract
We have previously determined the thresholds for CO2 detection (conscious recognition of elevated CO2) and retention in male divers, beyond which a diving candidate should not continue his diving activity due to an increased risk of CNS oxygen toxicity. The purpose of the present study was to establish whether there is a difference in end tidal PCO2 between male and female divers who use oxygen-enriched gas mixtures. Ventilatory and perceptual responses to variations in inspired CO2 (range 0-42mmHg) were assessed during moderate exercise in 18 males and 18 females. End tidal PCO2 was lower in the female divers when breathing oxygen with 42mmHg CO2 (58.2±3.0mmHg vs. 61.5±4.5mmHg, P<0.03). These results suggest that female divers have a lower end tidal CO2 than males when breathing a hyperoxic gas mixture during exercise, which might imply that women are less susceptible to CNS oxygen toxicity than men.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 632-638 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology |
Volume | 189 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Carbon dioxide detection
- Carbon dioxide retention
- Central nervous system oxygen toxicity
- Ventilatory response
- Women divers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine