Body structure and respiratory efficiency among high altitude Himalayan populations

To understand the morphological and physiological variations among the temporary and permanent residents of high altitude, this study was undertaken at Leh, Ladakh. It is situated at 3500 m (11500 feet) above sea level, the mean barometric pressure was 500 tors and air temperature varied from 2 degrees C to 20 degrees C. The highland Tibetans showed broadest chest and most developed musculature closely followed by Ladakhi Bods. These high altude natives also displayed significantly higher value of vital capacity, forced vital capacity, and inspiratory capacity. The better respiratory efficiency observed among high altitude residents indicates higher degree of adaptation to high altitude hypoxia. Temporary residents were observed to be tallest and fattest with lower trunk fat predominance of all the four groups and showed narrowest chest and lower respiratory efficiency as compared to high altitude natives. The duration of stay at high altitude has clearly brought about a perceptible difference in body dimensions and respiratory functions of various groups of adult males studied at same altitude.