Hocus pocus hypoxia – NO and augmented vasodilatation in the systemic vasculature during hypoxic exercise

Evidence clearly points to an enhanced vasodilatation in systemic vessels during hypoxic exercise that serves to defend oxygen delivery to active musculature in the face of a reduced inspired fraction of O2 (Wilkins et al. 2008). Exercise-induced hyperaemia is a complex process with redundant mechanisms that can be called upon when required. During hypoxic exercise there is an additional dilator response in human skeletalmuscle attributable to the reduction in arterial oxygen content rather than arterial O2 tension per se. Importantly, prevailing vascular tone results from both neural and metabolic factors acting on the vascular smooth muscle and endothelium. etc....