Influence of Acetazolamide on Hand Strength and Manual Dexterity During a 30-h Simulated High Altitude Exposure.

Introduction: High altitude missions pose significant challenges to Warfighter medical readiness and performance. Decreased circulating oxygen levels cause a decrease in exercise performance and can cause debilitating symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness, especially with rapid ascent. Acetazolamide (AZ) is known to minimize symptoms of acute mountain sickness, but it is unknown whether this medication alters hand strength and manual dexterity during altitude exposure.