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Related Experiment Videos

Maximal exercise at extreme altitudes on Mount Everest.

J B West, S J Boyer, D J Graber

    Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental and Exercise Physiology
    |September 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Maximal exercise at extreme altitudes significantly reduces oxygen uptake and arterial oxygen saturation. Despite these challenges, acclimatized individuals can still achieve notable oxygen consumption, explaining human endurance on Mt. Everest.

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    Area of Science:

    • Physiology
    • Altitude Medicine
    • Exercise Science

    Background:

    • Extreme altitude research is crucial for understanding human physiological limits.
    • The American Medical Research Expedition to Everest provided a unique opportunity to study these limits.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate maximal exercise responses at extreme altitudes.
    • To determine the effects of reduced inspired oxygen partial pressure (PO2) on exercise capacity.
    • To explain human physiological adaptation for reaching high altitudes.

    Main Methods:

    • Measurements of oxygen uptake, arterial oxygen saturation, and ventilation were taken at sea level and 6,300 m with varying inspired PO2 levels.
    • Subjects were well-acclimatized and studied in a controlled laboratory environment.

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  • Alveolar gas samples were analyzed to assess gas exchange.

    • Main Results:

    • Maximal oxygen uptake decreased significantly with lower inspired PO2.
    • Arterial oxygen saturation dropped, and alveolar-arterial PO2 differences widened with increased work rate at high altitude, suggesting diffusion limitation.
    • Maximal exercise ventilation decreased at very low inspired PO2.
    • Alveolar CO2 partial pressure was found to be very low at extreme altitude, matching summit values.

    Conclusions:

    • Physiological responses to maximal exercise are severely impaired at extreme altitudes due to low inspired PO2.
    • Diffusion limitation of oxygen transfer becomes apparent during exercise at high altitudes.
    • The study provides insights into the physiological mechanisms enabling humans to perform strenuous activity on the summit of Mt. Everest.