Energy metabolism at high altitude

Abstract

During construction work of a drive way near Tateyama Murodo (ca. 2400m above the sea-level), a good many, not yet acclimatized, labourers suffered from mountain sickness. To establish reasonable labour conditions for them, we have carried out some basic studies on the physiological responses to high altitude stress. Six healthy male adults were chosen as subjects, and ventilation, oxygen consumption, respiratory quotient, pulse rate and blood pressures were measured, and, as for the control data, those of the same subjects at Senju-ga-hara (ca. 460m above the sea-level) were measured.The following results were obtained:1) After a 4-5 day duration at Murodo, the BTPS ventilation and STPD oxygen consumption increased approximately 30% more than at sea-level.2) After a 1-2 day duration at Murodo, however, the STPD ventilation decreased.3) After a 1-2 day duration at Murodo, the mean values of RQ ranged from 0.90 to 0.96 at rest.4) After a 4-5 day duration at Murodo, systolic blood pressure and pulse rate were higher than those at sea-level but the diastolic pressure showed no change.