The Borg Scale at high altitude

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Thomas Küpper ◽  
N. Heussen ◽  
Audry Morrison ◽  
Volker Schöffl ◽  
Buddha Basnyat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Borg Scale ◽  
Physical Strain ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Randomized Design

<p><b>Introduction: </b>The Borg Scale for perceived exertion is well established in science and sport to keep an appropriate level of workload or to rate physical strain. Although it is also often used at moderate and high altitude, it was never validated for hypoxic conditions. Since pulse rate and minute breathing volume at rest are increased at altitude it may be expected that the rating of the same workload is higher at altitude compared to sea level. <p> <b>Material and methods: </b>16 mountaineers were included in a prospective randomized design trial. Standardized workload (ergometry) and rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) were performed at sea level, at 3,000 m, and at 4,560 m. For validation of the scale Maloney-Rastogi-test and Bland-Altmann-Plots were used to compare the Borg ratings at each intensity level at the three altitudes; p < 0.05 was defined as significant. <p><b>Results: </b>In Bland-Altmann-Plots more than 95% of all Borg ratings were within the interval of 1.96 x standard deviation. There was no significant deviation of the ratings at moderate or high altitude. The correlation between RPE and workload or oxygen uptake was weak. <p><b>Conclusion: </b>The Borg Scale for perceived exertion gives valid results at moderate and high altitude – at least up to about 5,000 m. Therefore it may be used at altitude without any modification. The weak correlation of RPE and workload or oxygen uptake indicates that there should be other factors indicating strain to the body. What is really measured by Borg’s Scale should be investigated by a specific study.

ALTERATIONS IN ADRENAL GROWTH AND CORTICOSTEROID CONTENT IN FOETAL AND NEONATAL RATS DEVELOPING AT HIGH ALTITUDE

1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. GARVEY ◽  
S. AKANA ◽  
A. WEISMAN ◽  
P. S. TIMIRAS
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adrenal Weight ◽  
Adrenocortical Function ◽  
Essentially Normal ◽  
Functional Development ◽  
Adrenal Corticosterone

To study the effects of chronic maternal hypoxia on the growth and functional development of foetal and neonatal adrenal glands, Long–Evans rats were acclimatized to high altitude (3800 m) before mating and were maintained at this height throughout gestation. The body growth of the progeny at high altitude was essentially normal during the perinatal period, but adrenal weight and adrenocortical function showed marked differences from those of control rats maintained at sea level. The adrenal glands were larger in foetuses but smaller in neonates, compared with the adrenal glands of control animals maintained at sea level. Differences in the protein content of the adrenal glands between the two groups paralleled differences in adrenal weight. The concentration and content of corticosterone in the adrenal glands of both foetuses and neonates kept at high altitude were markedly lower than values in animals kept at sea level. The lower adrenal corticosterone content was not reflected in the concentration of the hormone in the peripheral plasma, since this was essentially the same at high altitude and at sea level in both mothers and perinatal animals. The reduction in the adrenal corticosterone content was accompanied by and may have resulted from, a reduction in the concentration of cytochrome P-450 in the adrenal tissue of foetuses maintained at high altitude. Possible explanations for the dichotomous results are discussed.

Oxygen uptake in man during exhaustive work at sea level and high altitude.

1967 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Hansen ◽  
J A Vogel ◽  
G P Stelter ◽  
C F Consolazio
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level

Basal metabolic rate and body composition at high altitudes

1961 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Picó;n-Reátegui
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Basal Metabolic Rate ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Males

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition were determined in 17 healthy adult males living at an altitude of 14,900 ft above sea level. Using body surface area as a standard of reference and following the criterion of Boothby et al. ( Am. J. Physiol. 116: 468, 1936), the BMR of the high-altitude resident fell within the limits considered normal for healthy adults at sea level. A comparison with the data obtained by investigators in the United States and in India shows that, when either fat-free body mass (FFM), cell mass (C), or cell solids (S) are the standard of reference, the BMR is higher in the high-altitude resident. The higher O2 consumption per kilogram of FFM, C, or S in the high-altitude resident seems to be one of the many mechanisms developed by the body in its process of adaptation to the low O2 tension. Note: (With the Technical Assistance of Melquiades Huayna-Vera) Submitted on October 24, 1960

scholarly journals Physiological aspects of altitude training and the use of altitude simulators

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 307-311
Author(s):  
Goran Rankovic ◽  
Dragan Radovanovic
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Training Stimulus ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Altitude Training ◽  
Moderate Altitude ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Training Modalities

Altitude training in various forms is widely practiced by athletes and coaches in an attempt to improve sea level endurance. Training at high altitude may improve performance at sea level through altitude acclimatization, which improves oxygen transport and/or utilization, or through hypoxia, which intensifies the training stimulus. This basic physiological aspect allows three training modalities: live high and train high (classic high-altitude training), live low and train high (training through hypoxia), and live high and train low (the new trend). In an effort to reduce the financial and logistical challenges of traveling to high-altitude training sites, scientists and manufactures have developed artificial high-altitude environments, which simulate the hypoxic conditions of moderate altitude (2000-3000 meters). Endurance athletes from many sports have recently started using nitrogen environments, or hypoxic rooms and tents as part of their altitude training programmes. The results of controlled studies on these modalities of high-altitude training, their practical approach, and ethics are summarized.

High-altitude training does not increase maximal oxygen uptake or work capacity at sea level in rowers

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Jensen ◽  
T. S. Nielsen ◽  
A. Fiskestrand ◽  
J. O. Lund ◽  
N. J. Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Altitude Training

Effects of hypoxia, heat, and humidity on physical performance

1976 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lahiri ◽  
C. A. Weitz ◽  
J. S. Milledge ◽  
M. C. Fishman
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Performance Capacity ◽  
Humid Environment ◽  
Physical Performance Capacity

The effects of hot, humid environment were compared with the effects of high altitude on the physical performance capacity of Ne-palese residents by measuring oxygen uptakes and heart rates at various work rates. The following groups of men were selected: 66 residents of a hot and humid environment in the Terai at sea level; 24 residents and 16 sojourners at 3,8000 m. The maximal oxygen uptake of the sea-level residents was, on the average, 2.55 1.min-1, at which a maximal heart rate of about 200 beats/min was reached. The sojourners at 3,800 m showed a higher maximal oxygen uptake (2.94 1. min-1) at their maximal heart rate of about 175 beats/min. The residents of 3,800 m achieved a similiar oxygen uptake as the sojourners, but did not show a similar maximal heart rate limitation, suggesting that they were capable of achieving a higher maximal oxygen uptake. This study shows that hot, humid environment at sea level is as much incapacitating as is hypoxia at high altitude.

Changes in Myoglobin Content of the High Altitude Acclimatized Rat

1956 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burton E. Vaughan ◽  
Nello Pace
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
Cell Plasma ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Cellular Oxidation ◽  
Total Body

A method is described for the assay of myoglobin in all myoglobin containing tissues of the rat, in particular the heart and diaphragm. Total body myoglobin increased 70% above sea level values, both in animals taken from sea level to 12,500 feet and in animals born and reared at 12,500 feet. In comparison with the muscle hemoglobin concentration increase of 50%, the blood hemoglobin concentration increased only 25% above sea level values. Whole body content of myoglobin was determined directly, and this amounted to 17.3 mg/100 gm of body weight, or to 42.3 mg/100 gm of wet muscle. Partition of the body myoglobin among seven muscle groups was ascertained. Heart, diaphragm and the two masseters contain only about 10% of the total myoglobin. Evaluation was made of the factors that have been suggested to explain the disparity in the originally reported myoglobin increases at high altitude of Hurtado et al. and more recent work. It is clear that failure to obtain the increase in the rat is attributable to the use of intermittent rather than continuous high altitude exposure. Evidence for full acclimatization in the animals here used was adduced. The suggestion is made that myoglobin maintains an optimal oxygen gradient between the cell plasma membrane and the mitochondria, and in so doing is involved in dynamic relation to cellular oxidation.

Cutaneous vascular responses to heat simulated at a high altitude of 5,600 m

1986 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1150-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sagawa ◽  
K. Shiraki ◽  
N. Konda
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Hypoxic Exposure ◽  
Forearm Vascular Conductance ◽  
Cutaneous Circulation

Six healthy young men were studied in a high-altitude chamber during a 60-min heat exposure at a simulated altitude of 5,600 m or 0.5 atmosphere absolute (ATA). The heat load was provided by increasing the chamber temperature to 38 degrees C at the rate of 1 degree C/min after a 60-min equilibrium period at thermoneutrality (28 degrees C). Our question was whether or not hypoxia causes differential changes in regional cutaneous circulation during heat exposure. Skin blood flow in the forearm (FBF) and the finger (FiBF), temperatures of the esophagus (Tes) and of the skin, and cardiac output (CO) were measured during the heat exposure at 0.5 ATA and at the sea level (1 ATA). During the equilibrium period, hypoxia increased the mean skin temperature and mean heat transfer coefficient, as well as FBF and forearm vascular conductance. The increased blood flow in the cutaneous circulation during the hypoxic exposure may reflect cutaneous vasodilation and vasoconstriction in other regions of the body, since there was no alteration in CO and total peripheral resistance. During heat exposure, Tes rose faster at high altitude than at sea level. However, at the end of the 60-min heat exposure, all thermal as well as circulatory parameters showed no difference between the two altitudes, except for the FiBF. An attenuated vasodilation in the fingers during heat exposure at high altitude suggests differential vascular controls and possible impairment of thermoregulation when additional stress, such as heat, is imposed. The data suggest that cutaneous blood flow during heat exposure is not uniform throughout the entire skin in a hypoxic environment.

Chronic Hypoxia as a Potential Factor in Human Life-threatening Diseases

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 3759-3762
Author(s):  
Sandhya MNVS ◽  
Vanitha K ◽  
Ramesh A
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hypoxia ◽  
Atmospheric Oxygen ◽  
Human Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Otto Warburg ◽  
Regular Treatment ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Cancerous Cell

The review article focuses on the importance of adequate oxygen levels in the body as cure and therapy for many ailments. It is known that hypoxia is the cause for cellular damage and if it can be applied to major patho-physiology’s, it can be observed that slow and chronic hypoxic conditions are the cause for most of the diseases. On the contrary, providing each cell of the body with proper oxygen may be helpful in maintaining the immunity of the body and therefore treating many disease conditions. This theory, if tested may show positive results in heart related diseases, neuronal disorders, stresses, digestive disorders and the unresolved cancer too. Slow decrease in the levels of atmospheric oxygen could be a reason to induce chronic hypoxia. According to Dr. Otto Warburg, a Noble laurate, a normal cell when deprived of oxygen, may get converted to a cancerous cell, whereas a cancerous cell cannot survive in aerobic conditions. If this part of his research be concentrated on, there could be fruitful results in the treatment of cancer. To maintain adequate levels of oxygen in the body, simple yogic breathing practices are helpful. And to maintain the adequate atmospheric oxygen, trees and plants which cleanse the atmospheric air are useful. Clinical surveys on volunteers who have been practicing regular breathing exercises can prove the fact that proper and concentrated respiration could prevent many diseases. Thus, supplementing breathing exercises along with the regular treatment for cancer patients could be helpful in alleviating cancer and other diseases.

scholarly journals Physiological responses and cycle characteristics during double-poling versus diagonal-stride roller-skiing in junior cross-country skiers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik P. Andersson ◽  
Irina Hämberg ◽  
Paulo Cesar Do Nascimento Salvador ◽  
Kerry McGawley
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Peak Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Submaximal Exercise ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time To Exhaustion ◽  
Double Poling ◽  
Cross Country

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to compare physiological factors and cycle characteristics during cross-country (XC) roller-skiing at matched inclines and speeds using the double-poling (DP) and diagonal-stride (DS) sub-techniques in junior female and male XC skiers. Methods Twenty-three well-trained junior XC skiers (11 women, 12 men; age 18.2 ± 1.2 yr.) completed two treadmill roller-skiing tests in a randomized order using either DP or DS. The exercise protocols were identical and included a 5 min warm-up, 4 × 5 min submaximal stages, and an incremental test to exhaustion, all performed at a 5° incline. Results No significant three-way interactions were observed between sex, submaximal exercise intensity, and sub-technique. For the pooled sample, higher values were observed for DP versus DS during submaximal exercise for the mean oxygen uptake kinetics response time (33%), energy cost (18%), heart rate (HR) (9%), blood lactate concentration (5.1 versus 2.1 mmol·L−1), rating of perceived exertion (12%), and cycle rate (25%), while cycle length was lower (19%) (all P < 0.001). During the time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test, peak oxygen uptake ($$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak), peak HR, and peak oxygen pulse were 8%, 2%, and 6% lower, respectively, for DP than DS, with a 29% shorter TTE during DP (pooled data, all P < 0.001). Conclusion In well-trained junior XC skiers, DP was found to exert a greater physiological load than DS during uphill XC roller-skiing at submaximal intensities. During the TTE test, both female and male athletes were able to ski for longer and reached markedly higher $$\dot{V}$$ V ˙ O2peak values when using DS compared to DP.

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