Equivalent low altitude building improves physiological adaptation at high altitude

Chronic high-altitude exposure contributes to hypoxia-related morbidity. We conducted a randomized crossover trial evaluating overnight exposure to an equivalent low altitude building (ELAB) for 12 weeks in acclimatized adults residing in Lhasa. ELAB significantly improved nocturnal oxygen saturation, reduced hypoxic burden, attenuated hemoglobin increases, and lowered selected blood pressure parameters, while cardiopulmonary exercise capacity remained stable. No serious adverse events occurred. These findings support a medical-engineering strategy to reduce physiological stress associated with chronic high-altitude exposure and provide controlled physiological evidence for a non-pharmacological intervention.