The Threshold for Hypoxia Effects on Perceptual- Motor Performance

Fowler, Barry; Elcombe, D. D.; Kelso, Barry; G, Porlier

doi:10.1177/001872088702900106

Cited by 37 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Inspired air is approximately 0.03% (350 ppm) CO 2 while in the expired air is 4-6%, the most when exercising. While considerable research has been conducted on the effects of hypoxia [3] and carbon monoxide [4,5] few attempts have been made to determine the maximum tolerable level of CO 2 that does not adversely affect both physical and mental performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Carbon Dioxide Inhalation on Psychomotor and Mental Performance During Exercise and Recovery

Vercruyssen¹,

Kamon

Hancock

2007

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Carbon Dioxide Inhalation on Psychomotor and Mental Performance During Exercise and Recovery

Vercruyssen¹,

Kamon

Hancock

2007

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

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“…Although performance decrements in either reaction time, psychomotor skills or mental efficiency have been detected at altitudes as low as 2,100-3,000 m [8,14,25,28], there is no clear evidence that such relatively low altitudes have any effect on the performance of well-learned tasks [11,30]; the most clear-cut effect induced by altitudes of up to 3,000 m being an increased learning time [9]. At higher altitudes (4,300-6,100 m), decrements in reaction time [27], psychomotor ability [5,21,22,32,34] and mental efficiency [5,10,16,21,22,32] are clear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive performance during a simulated climb of Mount Everest: implications for brain function and central adaptive processes under chronic hypoxic stress

Abraini¹,

Bouquet²,

Joulia³

et al. 1998

Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology

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High altitude is characterized by hypoxic environmental conditions and is well known to induce both physiological and psychological disturbances. In the present study, called ”Everest-Comex 97”, the authors investigated the effects of high altitude on the psychosensorimotor and reasoning processes of eight climbers participating in a simulated climb from sea level to 8,848 m over a 31-day period of confinement in a decompression chamber. Tests of visual reaction time, psychomotor ability, and number ordination were used. The climbers’ data were compared with data from a similar laboratory study at sea level in control subjects. Continued testing of the control subjects at sea level clearly led to learning effects and improvement of performance in psychomotor ability and number ordination. In the climbers, similar learning effects occurred up to an altitude of 5,500–6,500 m. With further increases in altitude, the climbers’ psychomotor performance and mental efficiency deteriorated progressively, leading to significant differences in psychomotor ability and mental efficiency between control subjects and climbers (9 and 13% respectively at 8,000 m and 17.5 and 16.5% respectively at 8,848 m). Three days (72 h) after the climbers had returned to sea level, their mental and psychomotor performances were still significantly lower than those of control subjects (by approximately 10%). In contrast, visual reaction time showed no significant changes in either climbers or control subjects. It is suggested that chronic hypoxic stress could alter selectively mental learning processes, i.e. explicit, rather than implicit (stimulus-response learning processes) memory and cortico-limbic rather than basal ganglia-sensorimotor system function.

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“…To determine the minimum altitude that causes changes on perceptual motor performance, in 1987 Fowler and colleagues 126 established altitude-response curves for the serial choice reaction time task for two levels of stimulus brightness. Pao 2 was manipulated in small increments by having six subjects breathe low-oxygen gas mixtures so that varied levels of hypoxemia (simulating altitudes of 2,712-3,475 m) were produced.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cognitive performance, mood, and neurological status at high terrestrial elevation

Banderet¹,

Shukitt-Hale²

2002

PsycEXTRA Dataset

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)Cognitive and psychomotor performance and mood states, including many critical behavioral functions such as sleep, memory, ■ reasoning, and vigilance, are significantly impaired by ascent to HTE higher than 3,000 m. Impairments in behavior caused by HTE can degrade military operations because the judgment and rate and accuracy of performance of military personnel can be affected. Such adverse effects have distinct and measurable time courses; onset of some effects is immediate (cognitive performance), whereas the onset of others is delayed (symptoms of AMS or adverse moods). The behavioral consequences of HTE are primarily dependent on the level of altitude, the duration of exposure the rate of ascent, an individual's state of physiological acclimation or acclimatization, characteristics of the task performed, and characteristics of the individual such as hypoxic sensitivity. Military history documents that the adverse effects induced by HTE need to be considered when military operations at altitude are planned and undertaken. Current research indicates that some performance decrements induced by ascent to extremely high mountains (e.g., Mount Everest, 8,848 m) may persist for a year or longer after return to lower elevations. Psychological, operational, and medical strategies have been employed to minimize these adverse effects. Psychological strategies often involve training and familiarization with the adverse effects that will be experienced at high altitude. Operational strategies include staging at intermediate altitudes, acclimatizing, and using supplemental oxygen from tanks of oxygen generators. Medical strategies often involve the use of medications to improve functioning at altitude and techniques to avoid complications. In most situations, multiple strategies are employed. The strategies now available and new developments to come will ensure that high-altitude military operations in the future will be less affected by adverse changes in cognitive and psychomotor performance and mood.14. SUBJECT TERMS high altitude, hypoxia, cognitive performance, moods, symptoms, time course of altitude effects, behavior NUMBER OF PAGES 3516. PRICE CODE

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The Threshold for Hypoxia Effects on Perceptual- Motor Performance

Cited by 37 publications

References 11 publications

Effects of Carbon Dioxide Inhalation on Psychomotor and Mental Performance During Exercise and Recovery

Effects of Carbon Dioxide Inhalation on Psychomotor and Mental Performance During Exercise and Recovery

Cognitive performance during a simulated climb of Mount Everest: implications for brain function and central adaptive processes under chronic hypoxic stress

Cognitive performance, mood, and neurological status at high terrestrial elevation

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