Early acclimatization to high altitude: Acid-base and fluid balance dynamics during the first 2 days at 3100 m.

Immediate responses to hypoxia at high altitude are hyperventilation and successive respiratory alkalosis. Alkalosis, in turn, can affect cerebrospinal fluid pH and ventilatory control. The kidneys compensate metabolically for respiratory alkalosis.

Impact of an Elevated Rear Component of the Ski Binding on Joint Angles of the Lower Extremity and the Center of Mass in Recreational Skiers.

Recently, an elevated rear component of the ski binding has been associated with a reduced ACL injury risk. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of elevated rear components of the ski binding on lower extremity joint angles and the center of mass (COM) in recreational skiers.

High erythropoietin levels are associated with low neurofilament light levels in simulated high altitude: a further hint for neuroprotection by erythropoietin.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) plays a crucial role in the early adaption to high altitude and is possibly involved in neuroprotection. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an established marker of neuroaxonal damage.

Objective: To investigate whether EPO dynamics in simulated high altitude are linked to neuroaxonal damage as measured by NfL.

Dexamethasone for prevention of AMS, HACE, and HAPE and for limiting impairment of performance after rapid ascent to high altitude: a narrative review.

Acute exposure to high altitude can cause acute altitude illnesses and is associated with impaired cognitive and physical performance. The most effective preventive strategies currently recommended include environmental acclimatization (slow ascent and/or pre-acclimatization) or pharmacological support of acclimatization using acetazolamide. However, these strategies are not practical for high-altitude exposures that require rapid and unplanned ascent, high physical and mental performance, such as rescue missions or military operations.

Passive Heat Stimuli as a Systemic Training in Elite Endurance Athletes: A New Strategy to Promote Greater Metabolic Flexibility.

The ability to efficiently regulate body temperature is crucial during endurance activities such as trail running, especially during competitive events in hot conditions. Over the past decade, passive hyperthermia exposure has grown significantly in popularity as a means of improving acclimatization and performance in hot environments. The present study aims to compare the physiological changes that occur in a group of professional athletes due to passive sauna exposure (80-90 °C) and their own response to maximal aerobic performance.

The Impact of Living at Moderate Altitude on Healthy Aging in Austria: Epidemiological Findings and Potential Underlying Mechanisms.

Background: Epidemiological data of populations living at moderate altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 m suggest healthier aging when compared to people living in lower regions. Besides social determinants of health, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors, environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, air pollution and aeroallergens, solar radiation and in particular hypobaric hypoxia may modify the risk of disease development and mortality. The present study was aimed at (1) evaluating altitude-dependent overall and age-specific mortality rates of the most prevalent diseases using mortality registries and (2) link them to differences in lifestyle and risk factors from a population-based survey in Austria.

Long-Term-Effects of Training-Accompanied Myofascial Self-Massage on Health Complaints, Symptoms of Overload, and Training Compatibility in Recreational Cyclists.

Cycling has become a popular recreational sport, but it can lead to injuries and overload syndromes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a training-accompanied myofascial self-massage intervention on two primary outcomes: injury occurrence and perceived training intensity. : To achieve this goal, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 35 cyclists.

V̇Omax, an Important Determinant of Success when Climbing High Mountains.

Burtscher, Martin.V̇Omax, an important determinant of success when climbing high mountains. 00:00-00, 2025.

How reducing oxygen-transport may lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Carbon monoxide (CO) produced during smoking has been proposed to be a protective factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). In rats, increasing CO levels have recently been shown to induce hypoxic response-like pathway activation. Smoking thus may strengthen the hypoxia response systems by challenging the oxygen transport system, resulting in increased cellular resilience.

Could the perception of effort help us unravel the potential of ""? A perspective article.

high may promote favourable physiological adaptations and improvement of exercise performance in normoxia following training at altitudes above 1500 m. Whether and how physiological adaptations to training high interact with the perception of effort remains unknown. This perspective article aims to carve out potential contributory effects of the perception of effort on performance changes following living low-training high interventions.

Oxygen saturation for the prediction of acute mountain sickness.

We read with interest the paper on "Smartwatch measurement of blood oxygen saturation for predicting acute mountain sickness: Diagnostic accuracy and reliability" recently published by Zeng and colleagues in Digital Health. This study demonstrated good reliability and high precision for measuring peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO) using Huawei smartwatches during a 1-wk high altitude exposure. In addition, SpO values recorded during the ascent to high altitude were predictive for the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

The interplay of NAD and hypoxic stress and its relevance for ageing.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential regulator of cellular metabolism and redox processes. NAD levels and the dynamics of NAD metabolism change with increasing age but can be modulated via the diet or medication. Because NAD metabolism is complex and its regulation still insufficiently understood, achieving specific outcomes without perturbing delicate balances through targeted pharmacological interventions remains challenging.

Neurofilament Light Chain Is Associated With Acute Mountain Sickness.

Background: Neurological symptoms are common in acute mountain sickness (AMS); however, the extent of neuroaxonal damage remains unclear. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an established blood biomarker for neuroaxonal damage.

Objective: To investigate whether plasma (p) NfL levels increase after simulated altitude exposure, correlate with the occurrence of AMS, and might be mitigated by preacclimatization.

Hand-grip strength in recreational downhill skiers: a comparison to normative reference values.

Hand-grip strength was evaluated in 757 recreational downhill skiers and compared to 1021 community-dwellers. Findings are reported for age and sex categories consistent with community-dwelling norms. Effect size (Cohen's d) was calculated to estimate the clinical relevance of strength differences between populations.

Age- and sex-dependent associations between self-reported physical activity levels and self-reported cardiovascular risk factors: a population-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: The amount of regular physical activity (PA) can modulate the prevalence of traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as obesity, systemic hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, how different PA levels either below (< 600 MET min/week), within (600-1200 MET min/week), or above (> 1200 MET min/week) the range of the minimal WHO recommendations impact the age- and sex-dependent prevalence of these risk factors remains to be elucidated.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate these relationships using population-based self-reported data collected in a central European country (Austria, 2019).

The Gut Microbiota Characterization of a World-Class Mountain Trail Runner During a Complete Competition Season: A Case Report.

In the present case study, the gut microbiota (GM) profile of a male elite mountain runner (34 years, 171 cm, 59 kg, VO2max = 92 mL/min/kg) was analyzed over a 5-month competitive period (6 samples). Gut microbiota diversity increased throughout the season, where higher levels coincided with peak performance, and shorter and longer races (42 km versus 172 km) produced different phenotypic GM changes. Shorter races promoted elevation of protective bacteria related to positive benefits (higher production of short-chain fatty acids, lactate resynthesis, and mucin degraders).

Sport climbing performance determinants and functional testing methods: A systematic review.

Background: Sport climbing is becoming incredibly popular both in the general population and among athletes. No consensus exists regarding evidence-based sport-specific performance evaluation; therefore, this systematic review was aimed at analyzing determinants of sport climbing performance and evaluation methods by comparing climbers of different levels.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to December 20,2022.