Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 1

Describe the changes in barometric pressure, PO₂, and air density with increasing altitude.

Step 1 of 2

Barometric pressure or atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the atmosphere at a particular region or point on the earth. It is also said as the measure of weight of a column of air directly over a specific area. The atmospheric pressure is highest at the sea level. It decreases gradually as one climbs to a higher altitude.

The air becomes less dense at higher altitudes as a specific volume of gas contains fewer molecules compared to that of sea level. Though the air becomes less dense, the proportions of the gasses in the air do not alter but only the partial pressures of gasses alter.