Residence at Moderate Versus Low Altitude Is Effective at Maintaining Higher Oxygen Saturation During Exercise and Reducing Acute Mountain Sickness Following Fast Ascent to 4559 m.

Objective: To continuously monitor oxygen saturation (SpO) by pulse oximeter and assess the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS) using the Lake Louise Score (LLS) during ascent from 1154 to 4559 m in 2 groups of subjects: 10 moderate-altitude residents (MAR; ≥1000-≤2500 m) and 34 low-altitude residents (LAR). MAR are reported to have a lower incidence of AMS during ascent to higher altitudes compared with LAR. Whether this is related to higher SpO is still open to debate.

Thoraco-abdominal coordination and performance during uphill running at altitude.

Introduction: Running races on mountain trails at moderate-high altitude with large elevation changes throughout has become increasingly popular. During exercise at altitude, ventilatory demands increase due to the combined effects of exercise and hypoxia.

Aim: To investigate the relationships between thoraco-abdominal coordination, ventilatory pattern, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and endurance performance in runners during high-intensity uphill exercise.

Long-term monitoring of oxygen saturation at altitude can be useful in predicting the subsequent development of moderate-to-severe acute mountain sickness.

Objective: The use of pulse oximetry (Spo2) to identify subjects susceptible to acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the subject of debate. To obtain more reliable data, we monitored Spo2 for 24 hours at altitude to investigate the ability to predict impending AMS.

Methods: The study was conducted during the climb from Alagna (1154 m) to Capanna Regina Margherita (4559 m), with an overnight stay in Capanna Gnifetti (3647 m).

Inter-individual differences in control of alveolar capillary blood volume in exercise and hypoxia.

We compared by non-invasive technique the adaptive response of alveolar capillary network to edemagenic conditions (exercise and high altitude [HA, PIO2 107mmHg] in subjects with different resting sea level (SL) capillary blood volume (normalized to alveolar volume, Vc/Va): Group 1 (N=10, Vc/Va=16.1±6.8ml/L- mean±SD) and Group 2 (N=10, Vc/Va=25±7.

Periodic breathing, arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation, and heart rate during sleep at high altitude.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acclimatization to high altitude on periodic breathing (PB), arterial oxygen saturation (Sao(2)), and heart rate (HR). Nine male elite climbers, age 24-52 years underwent overnight cardiorespiratory monitoring at sea level and at Everest North Base Camp (5180 m), during the first (BC1) and the tenth (BC2) nights. PB was commonplace in all subjects at high altitude.

A simple method for home exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: one-year study.

Purpose: The success of long-term exercise training (ExT) programs resides in the integration between exercise prescription and patient compliance with home training. One of the crucial issues for the patients is the understanding of appropriate exercise intensity. We compared 2 methods of home ExT, based on walking.