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Respiratory changes during initial days of acclimatization to increasing altitudes
C K Basu1, W Selvamurthy, G Bhaumick
1Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Respiratory function in healthy males significantly increases at high altitudes, with initial adjustments by day 3. Acclimatized individuals show varied responses, with lung volumes decreasing at higher elevations.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Altitude Medicine
Background:
- High altitude exposure presents physiological challenges.
- Understanding respiratory adaptation is crucial for health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate daily changes in respiratory function.
- To compare responses between healthy males and acclimatized low landers (ALL) at varying altitudes.
Main Methods:
- Monitored respiratory function in 16 healthy males at sea level and high altitudes (3110m, 3445m, 4177m).
- Conducted identical studies on ALL residing at 3110m and 4177m for two years.
Main Results:
- Ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate increased significantly at high altitudes.
- Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume initially decreased but returned to sea level values by day 3, declining further at higher altitudes.
- Acclimatized individuals showed different respiratory adaptations at 3110m versus 4177m, with lung volumes decreasing markedly at higher altitudes.
Conclusions:
- Initial respiratory adjustments in sojourners occur by day 3 at 3110m.
- Further respiratory decrements are observed at 4177m, with variations on day 6.
- Acclimatized low landers exhibit altitude-dependent variability in respiratory adaptation.