Abstract

For many low-altitude (<1500 m) residents, their travel itineraries may cause them to ascend rapidly to high (>2400 m) altitudes without having the time to develop an adequate degree of altitude acclimatization. Prior to departing on these trips, low-altitude residents can induce some degree of altitude acclimatization by ascending to moderate (>1500 m) or high altitudes during either continuous or intermittent altitude preexposures. Generally, the degree of altitude acclimatization developed is proportional to the altitude attained and the duration of exposure. The available evidence suggests that continuous residence at 2200 m or higher for 1 to 2 days or daily 1.5- to 4-h exposures to >4000 m induce ventilatory acclimatization. Six days at 2200 m substantially decreases acute mountain sickness (AMS) and improves work performance after rapid ascent to 4300 m. There is evidence that 5 or more days above 3000 m within the last 2 months will significantly decrease AMS during a subsequent rapid ascent to 4500 m. Exercise training during the altitude preexposures may augment improvement in physical performance. The persistence of altitude acclimatization after return to low altitude appears to be proportional to the degree of acclimatization developed. The subsequent ascent to high altitude should be scheduled as soon as possible after the last altitude preexposure.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Muza SR, Beidleman BA, Fulco CS

Institution

U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5007, USA. Stephen.muza@us.army.mil <Stephen.muza@us.army.mil>

Source

High altitude medicine & biology 11:2 2010 pg 87-92

MeSH

Acclimatization
Adaptation, Physiological
Altitude
Altitude Sickness
Anoxia
Environmental Exposure
Humans
Mountaineering
Oxygen Consumption

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

20586592