The study determined if gender specific changes occurred in the decrement in VO2max from sea level at altitudes of 984 m (3,000 ft), 1,640 m (5,000 ft), and 2,625 m (8,000 ft). Ss (M = 7; F = 7) residing between 1640 and 2460 m completed cycle ergometry tests of VO2max at each altitude in a hypo/hyperbaric chamber. Females had significantly less decrement (10%) change in VO2max than males (23%) between sea level and 2,625 m. Detectable differences emerged at 984 m. Gender differences could not be attributed to differences in hypoxemia or fitness. Implication: Females retain a larger percent of their VO2max during increasing hypobaric hypoxia (altitude) than males. This difference is unrelated to hemoglobin oxygen saturation and cardiorespiratory endurance.
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