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

Exercise 14

Explain how carbon monoxide can influence  max and endurance performance.

Step 1 of 2

Carbon monoxide is an emission gas present released largely from burning of fossil fuels, coal, and gasoline. CO has higher affinity to hemoglobin and form carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) upon binding to hemoglobin (Hb). It thus decreases the oxygen transport and affects the physiological processes. Since it takes longer time periods for bound CO to be removed from blood, it influences the performance drastically.