Influence of graded hypercapnia on endurance exercise performance in healthy humans.

Military and/or emergency services personnel may be required to perform high-intensity physical activity during exposure to elevated inspired carbon dioxide (CO). Although many of the physiological consequences of hypercapnia are well characterized, the effects of graded increases in inspired CO on self-paced endurance performance have not been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 0%, 2%, and 4% inspired CO on 2-mile run performance, as well as physiological and perceptual responses during time trial exercise. Twelve physically active volunteers (peak oxygen uptake = 49 ± 5 mL·kg·min; 3 women) performed three experimental trials in a randomized, single-blind, crossover manner, breathing 21% oxygen with either 0%, 2%, or 4% CO. During each trial, participants completed 10 min of walking at ∼40% peak oxygen uptake followed by a self-paced 2-mile treadmill time trial. One participant was unable to complete the 4% CO trial due to lightheadedness during the run. Compared with the 0% CO trial, run performance was 5 ± 3% and 7 ± 3% slower in the 2% and 4% CO trials, respectively (both < 0.001). Run performance was significantly slower with 4% versus 2% CO ( = 0.046). The dose-dependent performance impairments were accompanied by stepwise increases in mean ventilation, despite significant reductions in running speed. Dyspnea and headache were significantly elevated during the 4% CO trial compared with both the 0% and 2% trials. Overall, our findings show that graded increases in inspired CO impair endurance performance in a stepwise manner in healthy humans.