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STAGING FOR SIX DAYS AT 2200 M INDUCES PHYSIOLOGIC ADJUSTMENTS THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DECREASING ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS) AT 4300 M
Author(s) -
Beidleman Beth A,
Fulco Charles S,
Muza Stephen R,
Rock Paul B,
Staab Janet E,
Money Alison,
Forte Vincent,
Brothers Michael,
Cymerman Allen
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1173.10
Subject(s) - effects of high altitude on humans , acclimatization , altitude (triangle) , hypobaric chamber , zoology , acute exposure , heart rate , medicine , chemistry , biology , blood pressure , anatomy , ecology , geometry , mathematics
Staging at moderate altitude minimizes AMS following ascent to high altitude. However, few studies have reported physiological adjustments following staging that may be responsible for decreasing AMS. This study determined the effectiveness of 6 d of staging at 2200 m on physiological adjustments and AMS during rapid ascent to 4300 m. Eleven sea‐level resident men (mean±SE, 21±1 yr) completed resting measures of end‐tidal CO 2 (PETCO 2 ), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ), and heart rate (HR) at sea level (SL) and within 1 h of exposure to 4300 m in both a hypobaric chamber (preSTG) and the summit of Pikes Peak following 6 d of staging at 2200 m (postSTG). AMS‐C (Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire) was measured following 8 h exposure at preSTG and postSTG. Resting PETCO 2 (mmHg) was unchanged from SL (39.8±0.8) to preSTG (39.3±1.0) but decreased (P<0.05) from preSTG to postSTG (32.8±0.8). Resting SaO 2 (%) decreased (P<0.05) from SL (97±1) to preSTG (80±1) and increased (P<0.05) from preSTG to postSTG (83±1). Resting HR (bpm) did not change from SL (69±2) to preSTG (70±2) but decreased (P<0.05) from preSTG to postSTG (65±2). AMS‐C decreased (P<0.05) from preSTG (0.94±0.14) to postSTG (0.59±0.13). These results suggest that staging for 6 d at 2200 m induces physiologic adjustments characteristic of altitude acclimatization that may be responsible for the reduction in AMS during rapid ascent to 4300 m. Funding provided by USAMRMC. Authors’ views; not official U.S. Army or DoD policy.