Thorax
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The effect of exercise induced hypoxaemia in determining submaximal exercise capacity, perceived breathlessness, and perceived exertion is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of these variables to the results of lung function tests and the degree of hypoxaemia during submaximal exercise in patients with airflow limitation. ⋯ Oxygen desaturation during the six minute walk is not related to walk distance, nor does it determine the degree of perceived exertion or perceived breathlessness in patients with airflow limitation. Patients who consider themselves the most disabled by breathlessness have the shortest six minute walk distance but do not necessarily have appreciable desaturation.