Chapter 24 - Physical Activity at Medium and High Altitude Flashcards
What are the effects of being at near sea-level altitude?
No Effects On:
- Well-being
- Performance
What is considered near sea-level altitude?
- Below 500m
What is considered low altitude?
- 500-2000m
What are the effects of low altitude/
- No effect on well-being
- Performance may be diminished
At what level of low altitude might athletes performance be diminished?
- above 1500m
How might performance decrements seen in low-altitude be overcome?
- Acclimatization
What level is moderate altitude?
- 2000m-3000m
What effects are seen at moderate altitudes?
- Well-being effects on unacclimated individuals
- Decreased maximal aerobic capacity and performance
Can optimal performance at moderate altitude be restored?
- may or may not be restored with acclimatization
What level is considered high altitude?
- 3000-5500m
What are the effects of high altitude?
- Adverse health effects in most individuals
- Significant performance decrements even with full acclimatization
What does the physiologic challenges at high altitude come from?
- decreased ambient partial pressure of oxygen (Po2)
What does the oxygen transport cascade refer to?
- Progressive changes in the environment’s O2 pressure and body areas
What does the oxygen transport cascade represent?
- Oxygen cascade at different elevations
What must air that we inspire be?
- Warmed and humidified
What is the partial pressure of water at body temperature?
- 47mmHg
What is alveolar Po2 determined by?
- The removal of O2 into the pulmonary capillary blood and the addition of O2 from ventilation
What is the slight decrease in Po2 between alveolar air and arterial blood?
- 5mmHg
What is the Po2 of 40mmHg in mixed-venous blood due to?
- Tissue oxygen use
What are some possible well-being effects at 1500m?
- Lightheadedness
- Headaches
What are some possible well-being effects at 3000m?
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Pulmonary Discomfort
What are some possible well-being effects at 4000m?
- Dyspnea
- Anorexia
- GI disturbances
What are some possible well-being effects at 6000m?
- Lethargy
- General Weakness
What are some possible well-being effects at 8000m?
- Impending collapse