altitude Flashcards
what are the body’s reactions to an altitude of 1524m
Light sensitivity decreases by 5%
what are the body’s reactions to an altitude of 3048m
25% decrease in light sensitivity, 30% decrease in visual acuity, 25% decrease in attention
what are the body’s reactions to an altitude of ~4000 - 4500m
15% decrease in cognition, 33% decrease in postural stability, 25% decrease in pursuit tracking, 20% decrease in recall.
equation for partial pressure of Oxygen
Oxygen pressure = O2 %/100. * barometer pressure
1 bar in mm Hg (Torr)
750 Torr
what are the thresholds for:
High altitude, very high altitude and extreme altitude?
1500-3500m high altitude
3500-5500m very high altitude
>5500: extreme altitude
what is the altitude limit for habituation?
Limit for habituation ±5820m-5985m
what are the major problems with altitude (on the human body)
Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
High altitude cerebral edema (HACE)
Chronic mountain sickness
High-altitude retinal haemorrhage
what are the first reactions a body uses to compensate for low oxygen?
Hyperventilation
Increased blood flow during rest and submaximal exercise.
Fluid loss (increases haemoglobin per L)
what happens to VO2 max at high altitude
VO2 max decreases
what are the longer-term adjustments to altitude that the body makes
Stroke volume and maximal heart rate decrease (SV decreases slowly, compensated by overall heart rate increasing)
Cardiac output lowers
Greater arterio-venous pO2 pressure
Regulation of acid base balance (correct for high pH due to hyperventilation)
* Synthesis of haemoglobin and red blood cells (erythropoietin [EPO]);
* local circulation (higher muscle cappillarisation; disputed, possibly caused by
muscle wasting) & cellular function;
* Slight shift of HB dissociation curve to right (2,3 DPG) in tissues
* Increased myoglobin (+16%),
* Reduced # of mitochondria, especially at extreme altitude and highland natives
* plasma volume decrease
* Reduced lean body mass and fat (depressed appetite and
reduced efficiency intestinal absorption
* Acclimatisation: 2 weeks to 2300 +1 week per 610m to 4600; loss 2-3 weeks
What are the issues with altitude training
Maximal cardiac output is reduced
Training intensity is decreased
But oxygen delivery is improved
What are the basic altitude training choices
Live high train high
Light high train low
Live low train high
What models can be used in Live High Train Low altitude training
Supplemental oxygen, Nitrogen dilution, Oxygen filtration, natural or terrestrial options
what are the primary pollutants in air pollution
Carbon monoxide, sulfur monoxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulates
What are the secondary pollutants in air pollution
Ozone, aldehydes, sulfuric acid and peroxy-acetyl nitrate
what gases does the air tend to be composed of
Nitrogen(78%), oxygen(21%), argon(~1%), carbon dioxide(0.03%)
what units are used in reference to pollution
PPM
1% = 10,000ppm
what are the attack routes for pollution?
Through the skin or through the respiratory system (mouth/nose, respiratory tract - then blood and tissues)
What are the effector mechanisms of pollution?
Irritation of the airways, reduction of alveolar diffusion capacity, reduction of oxygen transport capacity, eye irritation, skin irritation
what is the equation for dosage
Dose = concentration x time x ventilation
what are the sources of Carbon Monoxide?
Car exhausts, combustion heating, cigarettes
What effect does carbon monoxide have?
Forms carboxyhaemoglobin (more readily binds to haemoglobin than O2 does)
Reduces the release of oxygen in tissues
Also binds to myoglobin and cytochromes in mitochondria (blocks ATP formation)
what concentration of CO leads to 12% Carboxyhaemoglobin after 8 hrs
100ppm
What effect does CO have on VO2 max
VO2 max reduces with increased concentration of COHb (Carboxyhaemoglobin)
Beyond what concentration do sulfur oxides start to effect the body
3 ppm
Every 10m (of depth) of water adds how many atmospheres of pressure
1 ATM
what is Boyle’s Law
P1 x V1 = P2 x V2
if gas takes up 10 Litres at 1 ATM, what does it take up at 10 ATM, 5 ATM and 1/2 of an ATM?
10 ATM - 1L
5 ATM - 2 L
1/2 ATM - 20L
What is Dalton’s Law
The pressure exerted by a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the pressures which each of the gases would exert if it alone occupied the space filled by the mixture
Using Dalton’s Law, what would the partial pressure of oxygen be at 1,2 and, 3 ATM. (assuming normal air was taken to those pressures.)
1 ATM - PO2 = 1 x 0.209 x 760 mm Hg = 159 mm Hg
2 ATM PO2 = 2 x 0.209 x 760 mm Hg = 318 Hg
3 ATM PO2 = 2 x 0.209 x 760 mm Hg = 476 mm Hg