Gender differences in running memory and mood state during submaximal exercise in normobaric hypoxia

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare gender differences in working memory and mood state during low to moderate exercise in normobaric hypoxia. METHODS: 27 healthy adults underwent a submaximal exercise protocol in order to determine their VO2/Watt relationship on a cycle ergometer, followed by a VO2max protocol with 20 min. rest between tests. Two 15 min. bouts of submaximal exercise (40% and 60% of VO2max) separated by 15 min. rest were performed in hypoxia following a 60 min. acclimatization. VO2, HR, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), BP, regional cerebral oxygenation (rSO2), and cognition were assessed during the final 5 min. of each stage of exercise in hypoxia. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze all dependent variables. RESULTS: Significant differences were demonstrated between men and women for VO2 max (M:47.0±7.7, W:40.9±4.6 ml/kg/min), adjusted VO2max (M:34.2±5.6, W:29.8±3.3 ml/kg/min), 60% Watts (M:101±23, W:68±10 Watts), and 40% Watts (M:52±16, W:35±10 Watts). RMCPT score was significantly higher than hypoxic baseline during 40% (p=.006) and 60% (p=.001), although no difference was observed between intensities (p=0.512). TMD significantly improved at 40% (p=0.003), but not at 60% (p=0.074), yielding a significant difference between the two intensities (p=0.017). No gender differences were found in RMCPT scores (p=0.352) or TMD (p=0.077). Men displayed significantly higher MAP than women during 60% (M:93.0±6.2, W:85.8±8 mmHg, p=0.013). No difference in SpO2 (p=.563) or rSO2 (p=.590) was observed between the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Acute bouts of low to moderate exercise in hypoxia can improve cognition and mood state in males and females.