Descrizione

Mountain sport activities as for example hiking or skiing may involve the risk of adverse health events especially in older people not accustomed to the specific mountain sport at altitude or people with pre-existing health issues. Increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system and abrupt changes in heart rate and blood pressure are thought to trigger these adverse events. Preventive measures include regular physical activity (i.e. training) and adequate medical treatment. Hypoxia pre-adaptation (e.g., pre-adapt one night at moderate altitude) and pre-conditioning (e.g., intermittent hypoxia training), which was shown to lead to some favorable sympathetic nervous system, ventilatory and metabolic adaptations and additionally exerts anti-inflammatory action, could be hypothesized of being further preventive measures. However, to the best of our knowledge this was not investigated yet. The aim of this research project is to investigate whether intermittent hypoxia pre-conditioning or sleeping one night at altitude (i.e., current recommendation before practicing mountain leisure sports in the elderly) is able to increase oxygen saturation during passive hypoxia exposure and during simulated hiking and skiing at altitude. Additionally, it is aimed to investigate whether such procedure reduces the physiological responses (i.e., heart rate, its variability and blood pressure (including baroreflex sensitivity) responses as well as metabolic, ventilatory, inflammatory and redox responses) during these activities. Measurements during the exposure and the hiking and skiing simulation in normoxia and at altitude (within the high altitude climatic chamber, terraXcube) will include continuous oxygen saturation, ECG, breathing frequency and blood pressure monitoring. Furthermore, blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion will be determined. Moreover, inflammatory, cardiac and general stress markers as well as oxidative stress will be established before and after the pre-conditioning and the exercise tests. The present project will provide information whether or not hypoxia pre-conditioning or pre-adaptation may be recommended as a strategy to increase oxygen saturation and to lower physiological responses during alpine sport activities performed acutely at altitude. This could constitute a first step to establish evidence-based recommendations and preventive measures.

Partner

Lead Partner Eurac Research, Istituto per la medicina d'emergenza in montagna, Partner Università di Innsbruck, Istituto di Scienza dello Sport