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ABSTRACT
Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured and repetitive and has a final or intermediate objective; the improvement and maintenance of physical fitness. The aim of this research is to assess oxygen transport in young adults during aerobic exercise. A total of twenty (20) subjects comprising of 10 males and 10 females participated in this study after their oral consents were taken. Blood samples for haematocrit (HCT), Haemoglobin concentration (HB) as well as Relative Whole Blood viscosity (RWBV) were taken before and after aerobic exercise using bicycle ergometer set at 60rpm for 20 mins while their Oxygen saturation pressures were also monitored and recorded using pulse oximeter. The Oxygen transport potential was calculated as a ratio of Hematocrit (%)/blood viscosity. The results showed relatively stable parameters after the exercise in the subjects except for the statistically significant in the values of Hb and RWBV. Also, haemoglobin concentration in the female was significantly raised after the exercise while it showed a lower mean value compared with that of the males (P<0.05, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between haematocrit and oxygen transport potential and a negative correlation between Relative whole blood viscosity and oxygen transport potential (R2=0-4704; P<0.05; R2=0.8005; P<0.05, respectively). In conclusion, increased haemoglobin concentrations coupled with raised blood viscosity are rheological determinants of oxygen transport potential during exercise. The negative correlation between whole blood viscosity and oxygen transport potential is an underlined physiological implication in athletes.
