Sauerstoffreserve

Sauerstoffreserve refers to the amount of oxygen stored within the body that can be utilized during periods of oxygen deprivation. This reserve is crucial for maintaining vital functions when normal oxygen intake is compromised, such as during breath-hold diving or strenuous exercise. The primary storage sites for oxygen in the body are the lungs, which hold a significant volume of air, and the blood, where oxygen is bound to hemoglobin within red blood cells. Muscles also store a small amount of oxygen bound to myoglobin.

The size of the oxygen reserve varies based on several factors, including lung capacity, blood volume, hemoglobin concentration, and an individual's physiological adaptations. Trained divers, for instance, often possess larger oxygen reserves due to enhanced lung capacity and increased blood volume. The body's ability to efficiently utilize this reserve is also influenced by metabolic rate, with lower metabolic states conserving oxygen more effectively. When the oxygen reserve is depleted, the body relies on anaerobic metabolism, which produces less energy and leads to the buildup of lactic acid. Understanding and managing oxygen reserves is fundamental in activities demanding extended periods without breathing.