Arterial oxygen desaturation during moderate hypoxia hinders sensorimotor performance

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Human Performance
• Aerospace Medicine

Background:

• Moderate hypoxia can subtly impair cognitive and sensorimotor functions before noticeable symptoms arise.
• Objective and rapid assessment tools are crucial for identifying individuals at risk of functional decline during hypoxic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if reduced arterial oxygen saturation during moderate normobaric hypoxia affects gamified sensorimotor performance.
• To assess alterations in motor acuity as a measure of performance under hypoxic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Thirty healthy adults underwent a gamified tablet-based motor acuity assessment under both hypoxic (13.8% O2) and normoxic conditions.
• Performance metrics, including shot time and shot variability, were recorded at baseline and after 60 and 90 minutes of exposure.
• Arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) was monitored using pulse oximetry, with data analyzed using linear mixed effects models.

Main Results:

• Hypoxia significantly reduced SpO2 levels compared to normoxia.
• No significant changes in shot time were observed with decreasing SpO2.
• Shot variability increased significantly with decreased SpO2, indicating reduced motor precision, particularly influenced by baseline performance.

Conclusions:

• Reduced arterial oxygen saturation during moderate hypoxia negatively impacts sensorimotor performance by decreasing motor acuity precision.
• While movement speed remains unaffected, increased shot variability demonstrates impaired fine motor control under hypoxic stress.
• Objective measures like motor acuity are vital for assessing functional risks in environments with moderate hypoxia.