Author: Robert Roach
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387348174
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
The 14th volume in the series will focus on cutting edge research at the interface of hypoxia and exercise. The work will cover the range from molecular mechanisms of muscle fatigue and muscle wasting to whole body exercise on the world’s highest mountains. State of the art papers on training at high altitude for low altitude athletic performance will also be featured.
Hypoxia and Exercise
Author: Robert Roach
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387348174
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
The 14th volume in the series will focus on cutting edge research at the interface of hypoxia and exercise. The work will cover the range from molecular mechanisms of muscle fatigue and muscle wasting to whole body exercise on the world’s highest mountains. State of the art papers on training at high altitude for low altitude athletic performance will also be featured.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387348174
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
The 14th volume in the series will focus on cutting edge research at the interface of hypoxia and exercise. The work will cover the range from molecular mechanisms of muscle fatigue and muscle wasting to whole body exercise on the world’s highest mountains. State of the art papers on training at high altitude for low altitude athletic performance will also be featured.
Hypoxia
Author: Robert C. Roach
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780306466960
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 466
Book Description
Hypoxia remains a constant threat throughout life. It is for this reason that the International Hypoxia Society strives to maintain a near quarter century tradition of presenting a stimulating blend of clinical and basic science discussions. International experts from many fields have focused on the state-of-the-art discoveries in normal and pathophysiological responses to hypoxia. Topics in this volume include gene-environment interactions, a theme developed in both a clinical context regarding exercise and hypoxia, as well as in native populations living in high altitudes. Furthermore, experts in the field have combined topics such as skeletal muscle angiogenesis and hypoxia, high altitude pulmonary edema, new insights into the biology of the erythropoietin receptor, and the latest advances in cardiorespiratory control in hypoxia. This volume explores the fields of anatomy, cardiology, biological transport, and biomedical engineering among many others.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780306466960
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 466
Book Description
Hypoxia remains a constant threat throughout life. It is for this reason that the International Hypoxia Society strives to maintain a near quarter century tradition of presenting a stimulating blend of clinical and basic science discussions. International experts from many fields have focused on the state-of-the-art discoveries in normal and pathophysiological responses to hypoxia. Topics in this volume include gene-environment interactions, a theme developed in both a clinical context regarding exercise and hypoxia, as well as in native populations living in high altitudes. Furthermore, experts in the field have combined topics such as skeletal muscle angiogenesis and hypoxia, high altitude pulmonary edema, new insights into the biology of the erythropoietin receptor, and the latest advances in cardiorespiratory control in hypoxia. This volume explores the fields of anatomy, cardiology, biological transport, and biomedical engineering among many others.
High-Intensity Exercise in Hypoxia - Beneficial Aspects and Potential Drawbacks
Author: Olivier Girard
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889454061
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
In the past, ‘traditional’ moderate-intensity continuous training (60-75% peak heart rate) was the type of physical activity most frequently recommended for both athletes and clinical populations (cf. American College of Sports Medicine guidelines). However, growing evidence indicates that high-intensity interval training (80-100% peak heart rate) could actually be associated with larger cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic function benefits and, thereby, physical performance gains for athletes. Similarly, recent data in obese and hypertensive individuals indicate that various mechanisms – further improvement in endothelial function, reductions in sympathetic neural activity, or in arterial stiffness – might be involved in the larger cardiovascular protective effects associated with training at high exercise intensities. Concerning hypoxic training, similar trends have been observed from ‘traditional’ prolonged altitude sojourns (‘Live High Train High’ or ‘Live High Train Low’), which result in increased hemoglobin mass and blood carrying capacity. Recent innovative ‘Live Low Train High’ methods (‘Resistance Training in Hypoxia’ or ‘Repeated Sprint Training in Hypoxia’) have resulted in peripheral adaptations, such as hypertrophy or delay in muscle fatigue. Other interventions inducing peripheral hypoxia, such as vascular occlusion during endurance/resistance training or remote ischemic preconditioning (i.e. succession of ischemia/reperfusion episodes), have been proposed as methods for improving subsequent exercise performance or altitude tolerance (e.g. reduced severity of acute-mountain sickness symptoms). Postulated mechanisms behind these metabolic, neuro-humoral, hemodynamics, and systemic adaptations include stimulation of nitric oxide synthase, increase in anti-oxidant enzymes, and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, although the amount of evidence is not yet significant enough. Improved O2 delivery/utilization conferred by hypoxic training interventions might also be effective in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, as well as contributing to improve exercise tolerance and health status of patients. For example, in obese subjects, combining exercise with hypoxic exposure enhances the negative energy balance, which further reduces weight and improves cardio-metabolic health. In hypertensive patients, the larger lowering of blood pressure through the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway and the associated compensatory vasodilation is taken to reflect the superiority of exercising in hypoxia compared to normoxia. A hypoxic stimulus, in addition to exercise at high vs. moderate intensity, has the potential to further ameliorate various aspects of the vascular function, as observed in healthy populations. This may have clinical implications for the reduction of cardiovascular risks. Key open questions are therefore of interest for patients suffering from chronic vascular or cellular hypoxia (e.g. work-rest or ischemia/reperfusion intermittent pattern; exercise intensity; hypoxic severity and exposure duration; type of hypoxia (normobaric vs. hypobaric); health risks; magnitude and maintenance of the benefits). Outside any potential beneficial effects of exercising in O2-deprived environments, there may also be long-term adverse consequences of chronic intermittent severe hypoxia. Sleep apnea syndrome, for instance, leads to oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately systemic inflammation. Postulated pathophysiological changes associated with intermittent hypoxic exposure include alteration in baroreflex activity, increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and hematocrit, changes in heart structure and function, and an alteration in endothelial-dependent vasodilation in cerebral and muscular arteries. There is a need to explore the combination of exercising in hypoxia and association of hypertension, developmental defects, neuro-pathological and neuro-cognitive deficits, enhanced susceptibility to oxidative injury, and possibly increased myocardial and cerebral infarction in individuals sensitive to hypoxic stress. The aim of this Research Topic is to shed more light on the transcriptional, vascular, hemodynamics, neuro-humoral, and systemic consequences of training at high intensities under various hypoxic conditions.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889454061
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
In the past, ‘traditional’ moderate-intensity continuous training (60-75% peak heart rate) was the type of physical activity most frequently recommended for both athletes and clinical populations (cf. American College of Sports Medicine guidelines). However, growing evidence indicates that high-intensity interval training (80-100% peak heart rate) could actually be associated with larger cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic function benefits and, thereby, physical performance gains for athletes. Similarly, recent data in obese and hypertensive individuals indicate that various mechanisms – further improvement in endothelial function, reductions in sympathetic neural activity, or in arterial stiffness – might be involved in the larger cardiovascular protective effects associated with training at high exercise intensities. Concerning hypoxic training, similar trends have been observed from ‘traditional’ prolonged altitude sojourns (‘Live High Train High’ or ‘Live High Train Low’), which result in increased hemoglobin mass and blood carrying capacity. Recent innovative ‘Live Low Train High’ methods (‘Resistance Training in Hypoxia’ or ‘Repeated Sprint Training in Hypoxia’) have resulted in peripheral adaptations, such as hypertrophy or delay in muscle fatigue. Other interventions inducing peripheral hypoxia, such as vascular occlusion during endurance/resistance training or remote ischemic preconditioning (i.e. succession of ischemia/reperfusion episodes), have been proposed as methods for improving subsequent exercise performance or altitude tolerance (e.g. reduced severity of acute-mountain sickness symptoms). Postulated mechanisms behind these metabolic, neuro-humoral, hemodynamics, and systemic adaptations include stimulation of nitric oxide synthase, increase in anti-oxidant enzymes, and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, although the amount of evidence is not yet significant enough. Improved O2 delivery/utilization conferred by hypoxic training interventions might also be effective in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, as well as contributing to improve exercise tolerance and health status of patients. For example, in obese subjects, combining exercise with hypoxic exposure enhances the negative energy balance, which further reduces weight and improves cardio-metabolic health. In hypertensive patients, the larger lowering of blood pressure through the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway and the associated compensatory vasodilation is taken to reflect the superiority of exercising in hypoxia compared to normoxia. A hypoxic stimulus, in addition to exercise at high vs. moderate intensity, has the potential to further ameliorate various aspects of the vascular function, as observed in healthy populations. This may have clinical implications for the reduction of cardiovascular risks. Key open questions are therefore of interest for patients suffering from chronic vascular or cellular hypoxia (e.g. work-rest or ischemia/reperfusion intermittent pattern; exercise intensity; hypoxic severity and exposure duration; type of hypoxia (normobaric vs. hypobaric); health risks; magnitude and maintenance of the benefits). Outside any potential beneficial effects of exercising in O2-deprived environments, there may also be long-term adverse consequences of chronic intermittent severe hypoxia. Sleep apnea syndrome, for instance, leads to oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately systemic inflammation. Postulated pathophysiological changes associated with intermittent hypoxic exposure include alteration in baroreflex activity, increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and hematocrit, changes in heart structure and function, and an alteration in endothelial-dependent vasodilation in cerebral and muscular arteries. There is a need to explore the combination of exercising in hypoxia and association of hypertension, developmental defects, neuro-pathological and neuro-cognitive deficits, enhanced susceptibility to oxidative injury, and possibly increased myocardial and cerebral infarction in individuals sensitive to hypoxic stress. The aim of this Research Topic is to shed more light on the transcriptional, vascular, hemodynamics, neuro-humoral, and systemic consequences of training at high intensities under various hypoxic conditions.
Respiratory Muscle Training
Author: Alison McConnell
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN: 0702054550
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 403
Book Description
Respiratory Muscle Training: theory and practice is the world's first book to provide an "everything-you-need-to-know" guide to respiratory muscle training (RMT). Authored by an internationally-acclaimed expert, it is an evidence-based resource, built upon current scientific knowledge, as well as experience at the cutting-edge of respiratory training in a wide range of settings. The aim of the book is to give readers: 1) an introduction to respiratory physiology and exercise physiology, as well as training theory; 2) an understanding of how disease affects the respiratory muscles and the mechanics of breathing; 3) an insight into the disease-specific, evidence-based benefits of RMT; 4) advice on the application of RMT as a standalone treatment, and as part of a rehabilitation programme; and finally, 5) guidance on the application of functional training techniques to RMT. The book is divided into two parts – theory and practice. Part I provides readers with access to the theoretical building blocks that support practice. It explores the evidence base for RMT as well as the different methods of training respiratory muscles and their respective efficacy. Part II guides the reader through the practical implementation of the most widely validated form of RMT, namely inspiratory muscle resistance training. Finally, over 150 "Functional" RMT exercises are described, which incorporate a stability and/or postural challenge – and address specific movements that provoke dyspnoea. Respiratory Muscle Training: theory and practice is supported by a dedicated website (www.physiobreathe.com), which provides access to the latest information on RMT, as well as video clips of all exercises described in the book. Purchasers will also receive a three-month free trial of the Physiotec software platform (via www.physiotec.ca), which allows clinicians to create bespoke training programmes (including video clips) that can be printed or emailed to patients. - Introductory overviews of respiratory and exercise physiology, as well as training theory - Comprehensive, up-to-date review of respiratory muscle function, breathing mechanics and RMT - Analysis of the interaction between disease and respiratory mechanics, as well as their independent and combined influence upon exercise tolerance - Analysis of the rationale and application of RMT to over 20 clinical conditions, e.g., COPD, heart failure, obesity, mechanical ventilation - Evidence-based guidance on the implementation of inspiratory muscle resistance training - Over 150 functional exercises that incorporate a breathing challenge - www.physiobreathe.com - access up-to-date information, video clips of exercises and a three-month free trial of Physiotec's RMT exercise module (via www.physiotec.ca)
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN: 0702054550
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 403
Book Description
Respiratory Muscle Training: theory and practice is the world's first book to provide an "everything-you-need-to-know" guide to respiratory muscle training (RMT). Authored by an internationally-acclaimed expert, it is an evidence-based resource, built upon current scientific knowledge, as well as experience at the cutting-edge of respiratory training in a wide range of settings. The aim of the book is to give readers: 1) an introduction to respiratory physiology and exercise physiology, as well as training theory; 2) an understanding of how disease affects the respiratory muscles and the mechanics of breathing; 3) an insight into the disease-specific, evidence-based benefits of RMT; 4) advice on the application of RMT as a standalone treatment, and as part of a rehabilitation programme; and finally, 5) guidance on the application of functional training techniques to RMT. The book is divided into two parts – theory and practice. Part I provides readers with access to the theoretical building blocks that support practice. It explores the evidence base for RMT as well as the different methods of training respiratory muscles and their respective efficacy. Part II guides the reader through the practical implementation of the most widely validated form of RMT, namely inspiratory muscle resistance training. Finally, over 150 "Functional" RMT exercises are described, which incorporate a stability and/or postural challenge – and address specific movements that provoke dyspnoea. Respiratory Muscle Training: theory and practice is supported by a dedicated website (www.physiobreathe.com), which provides access to the latest information on RMT, as well as video clips of all exercises described in the book. Purchasers will also receive a three-month free trial of the Physiotec software platform (via www.physiotec.ca), which allows clinicians to create bespoke training programmes (including video clips) that can be printed or emailed to patients. - Introductory overviews of respiratory and exercise physiology, as well as training theory - Comprehensive, up-to-date review of respiratory muscle function, breathing mechanics and RMT - Analysis of the interaction between disease and respiratory mechanics, as well as their independent and combined influence upon exercise tolerance - Analysis of the rationale and application of RMT to over 20 clinical conditions, e.g., COPD, heart failure, obesity, mechanical ventilation - Evidence-based guidance on the implementation of inspiratory muscle resistance training - Over 150 functional exercises that incorporate a breathing challenge - www.physiobreathe.com - access up-to-date information, video clips of exercises and a three-month free trial of Physiotec's RMT exercise module (via www.physiotec.ca)
High Altitude
Author: Erik R. Swenson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461487722
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 495
Book Description
Over the last decade the science and medicine of high altitude and hypoxia adaptation has seen great advances. High Altitude: Human Adaptation to Hypoxia addresses the challenges in dealing with the changes in human physiology and the particular medical conditions that arise from exposure to high altitude. In-depth and comprehensive chapters cover both the basic science and the clinical consequences of exposure to high altitude. Genetic, cellular, organ and whole body system responses to high altitudes are covered and chapters discuss these effects on a wide range of diseases. Expert authors provide insight into the care of patients with pre-existing medical conditions that fail in some cases to adapt as well as offer insights into how high altitude research can help critically ill patients. High Altitude: Human Adaptation to Hypoxia is an important new volume that offers a window into greater understanding and more successful treatment of hypoxic human diseases.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461487722
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 495
Book Description
Over the last decade the science and medicine of high altitude and hypoxia adaptation has seen great advances. High Altitude: Human Adaptation to Hypoxia addresses the challenges in dealing with the changes in human physiology and the particular medical conditions that arise from exposure to high altitude. In-depth and comprehensive chapters cover both the basic science and the clinical consequences of exposure to high altitude. Genetic, cellular, organ and whole body system responses to high altitudes are covered and chapters discuss these effects on a wide range of diseases. Expert authors provide insight into the care of patients with pre-existing medical conditions that fail in some cases to adapt as well as offer insights into how high altitude research can help critically ill patients. High Altitude: Human Adaptation to Hypoxia is an important new volume that offers a window into greater understanding and more successful treatment of hypoxic human diseases.
The Multiple Inert Gas Elimination Technique (MIGET)
Author: Susan R. Hopkins
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1493974416
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 338
Book Description
The Multiple Inert Gas Elimination Technique (MIGET) is a complex methodology involving specialized gas chromatography and sophisticated mathematics developed in the early 1970’s. Essentially, nobody possesses knowledge of all its elements except for its original developers, and while some practical and theoretical aspects have been published over the years, none have included the level of detail that would be necessary for a potential user to adopt and understand the technique easily. This book is unique in providing a highly detailed, comprehensive technical description of the theory and practice underlying the MIGET to help potential users set up the method and solve problems they may encounter. But it is much more than a reference manual – it is a substantial physiological and mathematical treatise in its own right. It also has a wide applicability – there is extensive discussion of the common biological problem of quantitative inference. The authors took measured whole-lung gas exchange variables, and used mathematical procedures to infer the distribution of ventilation and blood flow from this data. In so doing, they developed novel approaches to answer the question: What are the limits to what can be concluded when inferring the inner workings from the “black box” behavior of a system? The book details the approaches developed, which can be generalized to other similar distributed functions within tissues and organs. They involve engineering approaches such as linear and quadratic programming, and uniquely use mathematical tools with biological constraints to obtain as much information as possible about a “black box” system. Lastly, the book summarizes the hundreds of research papers published by a number of groups over the decades in a way never before attempted in order to marshal the world’s literature on the topic and to provide in one place the wealth of important discoveries, both physiological a nd clinical, enabled by the technique.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1493974416
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 338
Book Description
The Multiple Inert Gas Elimination Technique (MIGET) is a complex methodology involving specialized gas chromatography and sophisticated mathematics developed in the early 1970’s. Essentially, nobody possesses knowledge of all its elements except for its original developers, and while some practical and theoretical aspects have been published over the years, none have included the level of detail that would be necessary for a potential user to adopt and understand the technique easily. This book is unique in providing a highly detailed, comprehensive technical description of the theory and practice underlying the MIGET to help potential users set up the method and solve problems they may encounter. But it is much more than a reference manual – it is a substantial physiological and mathematical treatise in its own right. It also has a wide applicability – there is extensive discussion of the common biological problem of quantitative inference. The authors took measured whole-lung gas exchange variables, and used mathematical procedures to infer the distribution of ventilation and blood flow from this data. In so doing, they developed novel approaches to answer the question: What are the limits to what can be concluded when inferring the inner workings from the “black box” behavior of a system? The book details the approaches developed, which can be generalized to other similar distributed functions within tissues and organs. They involve engineering approaches such as linear and quadratic programming, and uniquely use mathematical tools with biological constraints to obtain as much information as possible about a “black box” system. Lastly, the book summarizes the hundreds of research papers published by a number of groups over the decades in a way never before attempted in order to marshal the world’s literature on the topic and to provide in one place the wealth of important discoveries, both physiological a nd clinical, enabled by the technique.
Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine in Health and Disease
Author: Frank C. Mooren
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9783540360650
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine is intelligently structured, easy accessible and user-friendly: A-Z format, clear, concise language and uniform essay structure as well as extensive cross references between keywords and related articles enables efficient searches in a user-friendly manner both for experts and newcomers. It is intended to be a comprehensive up-to-date data base on the adaptation of the human body to exercise and on the therapeutic use of exercise with up to 2,000 keywords. It covers all aspects within the full range of modern exercise medicine of each particular scientific discipline (cancer, parasitology, aging, etc.). This includes information on methodological approaches to measuring the principle components of motor fitness, and practical aspects of their enhancement by trainings regimes as well as by nutrition and the application of drugs. Such a wide range of entries, all written by leading experts in their respective fields, will therefore address both the basic/clinical scientist as well as the practitioner. Moreover, the Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine is aimed at people in related fields, health care professionals, physiotherapists, trainers, students, informed athletes and interested laypersons. It is available both in print and as a fully searchable and hyperlinked electronic online edition.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9783540360650
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine is intelligently structured, easy accessible and user-friendly: A-Z format, clear, concise language and uniform essay structure as well as extensive cross references between keywords and related articles enables efficient searches in a user-friendly manner both for experts and newcomers. It is intended to be a comprehensive up-to-date data base on the adaptation of the human body to exercise and on the therapeutic use of exercise with up to 2,000 keywords. It covers all aspects within the full range of modern exercise medicine of each particular scientific discipline (cancer, parasitology, aging, etc.). This includes information on methodological approaches to measuring the principle components of motor fitness, and practical aspects of their enhancement by trainings regimes as well as by nutrition and the application of drugs. Such a wide range of entries, all written by leading experts in their respective fields, will therefore address both the basic/clinical scientist as well as the practitioner. Moreover, the Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine is aimed at people in related fields, health care professionals, physiotherapists, trainers, students, informed athletes and interested laypersons. It is available both in print and as a fully searchable and hyperlinked electronic online edition.
Nutritional Needs in Cold and High-Altitude Environments
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309175593
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 584
Book Description
This book reviews the research pertaining to nutrient requirements for working in cold or in high-altitude environments and states recommendations regarding the application of this information to military operational rations. It addresses whether, aside from increased energy demands, cold or high-altitude environments elicit an increased demand or requirement for specific nutrients, and whether performance in cold or high-altitude environments can be enhanced by the provision of increased amounts of specific nutrients.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309175593
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 584
Book Description
This book reviews the research pertaining to nutrient requirements for working in cold or in high-altitude environments and states recommendations regarding the application of this information to military operational rations. It addresses whether, aside from increased energy demands, cold or high-altitude environments elicit an increased demand or requirement for specific nutrients, and whether performance in cold or high-altitude environments can be enhanced by the provision of increased amounts of specific nutrients.
Hypoxia and exercise: Tissue specific and systemic adaptive responses
Author: Xu Yan
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2832509983
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 153
Book Description
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2832509983
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 153
Book Description
Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Author: G. Kim Prisk
Publisher: Biota Publishing
ISBN: 1615044515
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
The lung receives the entire cardiac output from the right heart and must load oxygen onto and unload carbon dioxide from perfusing blood in the correct amounts to meet the metabolic needs of the body. It does so through the process of passive diffusion. Effective diffusion is accomplished by intricate parallel structures of airways and blood vessels designed to bring ventilation and perfusion together in an appropriate ratio in the same place and at the same time. Gas exchange is determined by the ventilation-perfusion ratio in each of the gas exchange units of the lung. In the normal lung ventilation and perfusion are well matched, and the ventilation-perfusion ratio is remarkably uniform among lung units, such that the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood leaving the pulmonary capillaries is less than 10 Torr lower than that in the alveolar space. In disease, the disruption to ventilation-perfusion matching and to diffusional transport may result in inefficient gas exchange and arterial hypoxemia. This volume covers the basics of pulmonary gas exchange, providing a central understanding of the processes involved, the interactions between the components upon which gas exchange depends, and basic equations of the process.
Publisher: Biota Publishing
ISBN: 1615044515
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 88
Book Description
The lung receives the entire cardiac output from the right heart and must load oxygen onto and unload carbon dioxide from perfusing blood in the correct amounts to meet the metabolic needs of the body. It does so through the process of passive diffusion. Effective diffusion is accomplished by intricate parallel structures of airways and blood vessels designed to bring ventilation and perfusion together in an appropriate ratio in the same place and at the same time. Gas exchange is determined by the ventilation-perfusion ratio in each of the gas exchange units of the lung. In the normal lung ventilation and perfusion are well matched, and the ventilation-perfusion ratio is remarkably uniform among lung units, such that the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood leaving the pulmonary capillaries is less than 10 Torr lower than that in the alveolar space. In disease, the disruption to ventilation-perfusion matching and to diffusional transport may result in inefficient gas exchange and arterial hypoxemia. This volume covers the basics of pulmonary gas exchange, providing a central understanding of the processes involved, the interactions between the components upon which gas exchange depends, and basic equations of the process.