Effects of acute exposure to mild or moderate hypoxia on human psychomotor performance and visual-reaction time

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine whether psychomotor performance and visual reaction time were affected by acute exposure to mild or moderate hypoxia. Method. Eighteen healthy male volunteers performed finger tapping, simple reaction time (SRT) and 4-choice reaction time (CRT) tests at simulated altitude of 300 m (control), 2800 m, 3600 m and 4400 m for 1 h in a hypobaric chamber. Result. SaO2 decreased from 98% (control) to 90%, 82% and 74% respectively at the various altitudes. All the performance parameters showed no significant change after exposure to 2800 m for 1 h relative to ground level (P>0.05). However the mean reaction time of 4-CRT under 3600 m prolonged and performance decreased as compared with baseline value (P<0.05), and the performance decreased further under 4400 m (P<0.01). No significant difference was found in finger tapping and SRT even under exposure to 4400 m for 1 h. Furthermore, no decrease in correct rate were observed at any altitude (P>0.05). Conclusion. The results from this study demonstrated that there were no measurable impairment of visual reaction time and psychomotor performance under exposure to an altitude of 2800 m for 1 h. However, adverse effects on psychomotor performance were observed under 3600 m and over.