The effects of acute exercise and high lactate levels on 35% CO2 challenge in healthy volunteers

Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2002 Nov;106(5):394-7. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01333.x.

Abstract

Objective: To test the possible antipanic effects of acute exercise in healthy volunteers exposed to an inhalation of 35% CO2 challenge.

Method: Twenty healthy subjects in a randomized separate group design, performed exercise in a bicycle ergometer reaching >6 mm of blood lactate and a control condition of minimal activity in the same fashion with no lactate elevation. Immediately afterwards an inhalation of a vital capacity using a mixture of 35% CO2/65% O2 through a mask was given on both conditions.

Results: Subjects under the exercise condition reported less panic symptoms than controls after a CO2 challenge on the diagnostic statistical manual-IV (DSM-IV) Panic Symptom List but no difference on the Visual Analogue Anxiety Scale.

Conclusion: Subjects under the exertion condition had lactate levels comparable with those of lactate infusions but an inhibitory rather than accumulative effect was seen when combined with a CO2 challenge.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactates / blood*
  • Male
  • Panic*
  • Vital Capacity

Substances

  • Lactates
  • Carbon Dioxide