Key result
Acute hypoxic exercise in an obese man exacerbates hypoxemia to 59% SpO2 versus hypoxia alone.
Why the study?
Obesity has increased among high-altitude residents and commuters, but the effects of acute hypoxic exposure and hypoxic exercise on hypoxemia severity and AMS symptoms in obesity needed investigation.
Does acute hypoxic exposure and hypoxic exercise exacerbate hypoxemia and acute mountain sickness in a physically active obese man?
Case Report (n=1)
Does acute hypoxic exposure and hypoxic exercise exacerbate hypoxemia and acute mountain sickness in a physically active obese man?
High physical activity levels may not protect against severe hypoxemia, autonomic dysfunction, and acute mountain sickness during acute hypoxic exposure and exercise in obese individuals.
May warrant caution with hypoxic exercise in obese patients; single case leaves open fitness protection against severe hypoxemia.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common syndrome characterized by headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, and nausea. As a major public health issue, obesity has increased in high altitude urban residents and intermittent commuters to high altitudes. The present study investigated acute hypoxic exposure and hypoxic exercise on hypoxemia severity and AMS symptoms in a physically active obese man. In this case analysis, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) was used to evaluate hypoxemia, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were used to reflect the function of autonomic nervous system (ANS), and Lake Louise scoring (LLS) was used to assess AMS. The results showed that acute hypoxic exposure led to severe hypoxemia (SpO2 = 72%) and tachycardia (HRrest = 97 bpm), and acute hypoxic exercise exacerbated severe hypoxemia (SpO2 = 59%) and ANS dysfunction (HRpeak = 167 bpm, SBP/DBP = 210/97 mmHg). At the end of the 6-h acute hypoxic exposure, the case developed severe AMS (LLS = 10) symptoms of headache, gastrointestinal distress, cyanosis, vomiting, poor appetite, and fatigue. The findings of the case study suggest that high physical activity level appears did not show a reliable protective effect against severe hypoxemia, ANS dysfunction, and severe AMS symptoms in acute hypoxia exposure and hypoxia exercise.
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Xu et al. (2021) conducted a case report in Obesity (n=1). Acute hypoxic exposure and hypoxic exercise was evaluated on Hypoxemia (SpO2), autonomic nervous system function (HR and BP), and AMS (Lake Louise scoring). Acute hypoxic exercise in a physically active obese man exacerbated severe hypoxemia (SpO2 59%) and autonomic dysfunction (HR 167 bpm) compared to hypoxic exposure alone (SpO2 72%, HR 97 bpm).
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