Decreased pulmonary diffusion capacity has been reported following both short and long duration aerobic exercise (Manier et al., 1991a; McK.enzie et al.,
1999^ Miles et al., 1983). The reason for this is not well understood, but it may be related to transient pulmonary edema or damage to the fung gas exchange • Corresponding author. Tet.: +[-780-492-1026: L: +l-780-492-2364.
E-mail address: siewan.pelereen@uaiberta.ca (S-R. Peiersen).
barrier secondary to exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (Wagner et al., 1986). Exercise-induced
impairment in diffusion capacity could be a cause
for the widened alveolar-arterial PQ^ difference
(A-aDoJ and arterial hypoxcmia observed during exercise (Denipsey and Wagner, 1999). Reports of impaired pulmonary gas exchange during exercise, and decreased pulmonary diffusion capacity following exercise, suggest some form of exercise-induced pulmonary impainnent that persists even after exercise.
The majority of research examining exercise-induced impainnents in pulmonary gas exchange has