Question

What changes in SPO₂ levels would you expect to find during exercise in well-trained individuals? How would that be different in individuals who are not well-trained? How would you explain that physiologically?

Answer 1

*Cardiac output( amount of blood pumped by the heart) and arteriovenous oxygen difference (the amount of oxygen consumed by the tissues from blood) determine the overall Spo2 levels.

*The greater the amount of oxygen absorbed by the tissues, the greater the arteriovenous oxygen difference. For example, 5 ml of the 20ml oxygen is absorbed by the tissues for every 100 ml of blood, the arteriovenous difference is 5 ml.

*The spo2 levels may changed during the physical excercise as the blood flow to the tissues increases and heamoglobin dissociates more quickly. During aerobic training, the tissues got more efficient at taking up oxygen. Therefore the arteriovenous oxygen difference is greater in well-trained individuals compared to the new individuals.