Effect of Altitude and Duration of Stay on Pulmonary Function in Healthy Indian Males

Abstract

<p>The study was carried out with the objective to investigate the effect of varying altitude and duration of exposure on blood pressure, heart rate and lung function parameters in healthy Indian soldiers after adopting proper acclimatization schedule. For this purpose 17 soldiers of Indian Army, weight and height matched, were studied after obtaining written consent. Recording of Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate and lung function variables (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, MVV, FEF25-75%, MEF 25%, MEF 50%, MEF 75%, PEF) were measured at basal (290m), 800m, 3200m (day 10 and day 20) and upon de-induction. Our results demonstrate that with increasing altitude FVC declined, FEV1 did not change and due to these changes FEV1/FVC% increased. Expiratory flow rates including MEF 25%, MEF50% MEF 75%, PEF and mean expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) increased upon induction to high altitude. This increase may be due to reduction in air density causing less air resistance which accelerates lung emptying. Though the increase upon induction in all the values was transient and returned to baseline values after de-induction. MVV reflecting respiratory muscle function increased significantly upon induction to altitude in our study and returned to basal values upon de-induction. Understanding respiratory system in mountainous regions and its further correlation with other systems pertaining to acclimatization could help in laying step in unveiling mechanism of human high altitude adaptation.</p>

Effects of genetics and altitude on lung function

“…However, variations in lung function also depend largely on the duration of exposure to altitude, age, physical preparation, physiological state, sleeping altitude and the presence of some genetic predisposition 50,97 . At spirometric level, peak expiratory flow (PEF) increases while FVC decreases at these altitudes 98‐100 . The reasons for this drop in FVC may be due to changes in lung blood volume, pulmonary interstitial oedema or early airway closure.…”

Hubungan High Altitude Terhadap Kemampuan Fungsional Paru Pada Perokok Di Desa Ngadas Kecamatan Poncokusumo Kabupaten Malang

“…Akibat perubahan karakteristik tersebut menyebabkan peningkatan kemampuan dari mereka yang berada di ketinggian, salah satunya adalah kemampuan fungsional paru (Saptono, 2016). Sejumlah respon adaptasi terjadi pada tubuh yang berfungsi agar mentolerir ketersediaan oksigen yang berkurang pada ketinggian high altitude yang termasuk dalam proses aklimatisasi (Saini et al, 2018). Orangorang yang memang tinggal di dataran tinggi akan mengalami aklimatisasi secara alami sehingga tubuh dapat beradaptasi pada daerah ketinggian tersebut (Guyton & Hall, 2007).…”