Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

The Effect of Six Weeks of Interval Aerobic Training in Sea Level on Acute Mountain Sickness

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of interval aerobic training at sea level on acute mountain sickness (AMS). Seventeen mountaineers with a history of AMS participated in this study over a six-week period. Initially, the participants ascended to altitudes above 3,500 meters, where their peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured using a pulse oximeter, and the symptoms of AMS were assessed using the Lake Louise Questionnaire. The experimental group then performed interval aerobic training at sea level for six weeks, consisting of three sessions per week. After the training period, participants were re-evaluated at altitudes above 3,500 meters for AMS symptoms. The results indicated a significant improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group, reflected in increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), higher SpO₂ levels, and a reduction in heart rate (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that continuous interval aerobic training, even when conducted under normoxic conditions, enhances cardiorespiratory function and elevates SpO₂ levels. Moreover, exercise under hypoxic conditions can further improve VO₂max and physiological adaptation to high altitudes.
Keywords

[1]      Esmaeilzadeh Toluyi, M. R., Nazem, F., Hashemi, A., & Shisheiyan, B. (2002). Consideration of the effect of hypobaric hypoxia on cardiovascular variables, practical capacity, and blood variables of amateur mountaineers. Research in Sport Science, 1, 123–139. [in Persian]
[2]      Bartsch, P., Bailey, D. M., Berger, M. M., Knauth, M., & Baumgartner, R. W. (2004). Acute mountain sickness: Controversies and advances. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 5(2), 110–124. https://doi.org/10.1089/1527029041352108
[3]      Hoseini, M., Behpour, N., & Rozbayanee, M. (2009). Cardiac status comparison of men and women in the national mountaineering team. Master’s thesis, Islamic Azad University, Tehran East Branch. [in Persian]
[4]      Ruskoh, H. K., Tikkanen, H., Paarolainen, L., Hamalainen, I., & Kalliokopuranen, A. (1999). VO₂max, EPO and red cell mass unrelated in trained athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), 277.
[5]      Melissa, L., et al. (1997). Skeletal muscle adaptations to training under normobaric hypoxic versus normoxic conditions. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 29(2), 238–243. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199702000-00012
[6]      Schommer, K., Hammer, M., Hotz, L., & Menold, E. (2012). Exercise intensity typical for mountain climbing does not exacerbate acute mountain sickness in normobaric hypoxia. Journal of Applied Physiology, 113(7), 1068–1074. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00329.2012
[7]      Ravasi, A., Gayini, A., & Elmiyeh, A. (2004). The effect of interval hypoxia exercises on hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte, and red blood cells in male physical education students. Harkat, 22, 121–135. [in Persian]
[8]      Karinen, M., Peltonen, E., & Tikkanen, O. (2010). Prediction of acute mountain sickness by monitoring arterial oxygen saturation during ascent. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 11(4), 343–349. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2009.1060
[9]      Ravasi, A., Gayini, A., Javadi, E., & Elmiyeh, A. (2002). The effect of breathing control exercises on VO₂max, recovery heart rate, and erythropoietin in male physical education students. Harkat, 14, 39–51. [in Persian]
[10]   Rupp, T., Jubeau, M., Guillaume, Y., & Perrey, S. (2013). The effect of hypoxemia and exercise on acute mountain sickness symptoms. Journal of Applied Physiology, 114(2), 180–185. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00769.2012
[11]   Honigman, B., Read, M., Lezotte, D., & Roach, R. C. (1995). Sea-level physical activity and acute mountain sickness at moderate altitude. Western Journal of Medicine, 163(2), 117–121.
[12]   Halabchi, F. (2008). The prevalence of acute mountain sickness in Tochal Hotel guests (height of 3545 m) and its signs and symptoms. Research in Sport Sciences, 8(66), 560–566. [in Persian]
[13]   Behpour, N., Tadibi, V., & Niazi, M. (2001). Correlated factors with decreasing cardiorespiratory function at altitude. Harkat, 8, 43–58. [in Persian]
[14]   Tadibi, V., Sheykholeslami, D., Usefi, B., & Abdollahi-Shamami, N. (2010). Correlated factors with acute mountain sickness. Research in Sport Science, 28, 13–26. [in Persian]
[15]   Cooke, C., Bunting, D., & O’Hara, J. (2010). Mountaineering: Training and preparation. Human Kinetics.
[16]   Huez, S., Retailleau, K., Unger, P., Pavelescu, A., Vachiéry, J. L., Derumeaux, G., & Naeije, R. (2005). Right and left ventricular adaptation to hypoxia: A tissue Doppler imaging study. American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 289(3), H1391–H1398. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00332.2005
[17]   Grant, S., MacLeod, N., Kay, J. W., Watt, M., Patel, S., Paterson, A., & Peacock, A. (2002). Sea-level and acute responses to hypoxia: Do they predict physiological responses and acute mountain sickness at altitude? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(2), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.36.2.141
[18]   Basnyat, B., Subedi, D., Sleggs, J., Lemaster, J., Bhasyal, G., Aryal, B., et al. (2000). Disoriented and ataxic pilgrims: An epidemiological study of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema at a sacred lake at 4300 m in the Nepal Himalayas. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 11(2), 89–93. https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(2000)011[0089:DAAPAE]2.3.CO;2
[19]   Burtscher, M., Flatscher, M., & Faulhaber, M. (2004). Prediction of susceptibility to acute mountain sickness by SaO₂ values during short-term exposure to hypoxia. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 5(3), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2004.5.335
[20]   McArdle, W. D., Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (2013). Exercise physiology: Energy, nutrition, and human performance (10th ed.). Samt Publications. [Persian translation by A. Khaledan]
[21]   Nourshahi, M., Rahmani, H., Arefi Rad, T., Zahedi, H., & Rajaiyan, A. (2009). Investigation of climbing on physical health and cardiovascular function in elders. Salmand, 4(13), 43–56. [in Persian]
[22]   Bernardi, L., et al. (2001). Respiratory and cardiovascular adaptations to progressive hypoxia during interval hypoxic training. European Heart Journal, 22(10), 879–886. https://doi.org/10.1053/euhj.2000.2466
Volume 1, Issue 1
Winter 2019
Pages 43-48

  • Receive Date 20 December 2018
  • Revise Date 14 January 2019
  • Accept Date 18 March 2019