Effect of different ascent profiles on performance at 4,200 m elevation
- Author:
- Forster, Peter J.G.
- Title:
- Effect of different ascent profiles on performance at 4,200 m elevation
- Periodical:
- Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
- Year:
- 1985
- Volume:
- 56
- Pages:
- 758-764
- Subject:
- Acute mountain sickness (AMS) Altitude mountain sickness (AMS) High altitude physiology
- Summary:
- While mountain summits are an ideal location for astronomical observatories, due to the reduction of optical thickness of the earth's atmosphere and the absence of air pollution that enhances a telescopes "seeing" ability, those who work at these altitudes are exposed to the stress of hypoxia. As a result, the astronomers who work on the summit of Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii, represent a unique population of telescope personnel who operate complicated computing and astronomical equipment in this hypoxic environment. Since these personnel either ascend rapidly by vehicle to the 4200 meter elevation with minimal provision for acclimatization, (shift workers), or frequently travel between sea level and the 4200 meter elevation, (commuters), the Science and Engineering Research Council of the United Kingdom, who operates an infrared telescope on Mauna Kea, commissioned a study that was done in 1980 to ascertain the safest and most efficient work schedule for the operation of the telescope. This project involved a study of the influence of different ascent profiles and the duration of hypoxia with regard to the physiological and performance changes that were shown by sea level residents on ascent to the 4200 meter elevation. Also studied were the effects of high altitude that one might experience while working at high altitudes such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and whether or not these conditions were more prevalent among the group of shift workers as opposed to the group of commuters.
- Label:
- Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)
- Date:
- 1985
- Collection:
- Periodicals