Respiratory Function in Normal Young Adults at 3475 and 4300 Meters

摘要

The respiratory function of two groups of normal, young adults were studied at altitudes of 3475 and 4300 meters for 21 and 28 days, respectively. In the 4300 meter study, physical conditioning in one-half of the subjects proved to be beneficial since it resulted in an additional increase in Maximal breathing capacity (MBC) during high altitude exposure. This suggests that physical conditioning may be a factor in assessing a superior physical condition at altitude. Maximal breath holding times, at altitude, were also significantly increased with physical conditioning. For the combined groups, the MBC were all significantly increased at high altitude, which was not apparent in the sea level group. This may have been due to the decreased work of breathing the rarefied air at altitude. Maximal breath holding times were significantly decreased for all groups during high altitude exposure, and forced vital capacities (FVCs) in general were decreased at altitude. The sea level controls showed no changes in MBC, FVC, and maximal breath holding time during the entire study. (Author)