This chapter describes the physiological changes that occur when the organism
is subjected to physical exercise, from resting state, at sea level and at high altitude. In
particular, it focuses on compensatory mechanisms that regulate major respiratory
functions, such as: gas exchange, ventilation-perfusion distribution, tissue oxygenation,
pulmonary and systemic circulation, and acid-base balance. In addition, mechanisms
involved in acclimatization to high altitude, acute and chronic mountain sickness, and
adaptation to high altitude are briefly described.
Keywords: Acid-Base Balance, Acute Mountain-Sickness, Alkalosis, Chronic
Mountain-Sickness, Exercise, High-Altitude Acclimatization, High-Altitude
Adaptation, High-Altitude Oxygen-Pressure, Hypocapnia, Hypoxia, Hypoxic
Vasoconstriction, Joint Receptors, Metaboreceptors, Pulmonary Circulation,
Pulmonary Edema, Pulmonary Hypertension, Shunt Fraction, Systemic Circulation,
Ventilation-Perfusion Distribution, Ventilation-Perfusion Maldistribution.
