Effects of hypoxia, heat, and humidity on physical performance.
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.
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D006339:Heart Rate; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D000860:Hypoxia; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration