Fitness Level- and Sex-Related Differences in Pulmonary Limitations to Maximal Exercise in Normoxia and Hypoxia.

Women reported a higher EIH prevalence than men, regardless of their fitness level, despite a lower EFL prevalence. EFL seems mainly due to the imbalance between ventilatory demands and capacities. It restricts ventilation, leading to a larger performance impairment during maximal exercise in hypoxic conditions.