title: Effect of acetazolamide on exercise performance and muscle mass at high altitude.
abstract: The effect of acetazolamide (Az) on exercise performance and muscle mass in acclimatised subjects at an altitude of 4846 m was assessed in 11 subjects and compared with the effect of placebo on 10 other subjects. Exercise performance at 85% maximum heart rate fell by 37% in the Az group and by 45% in controls (p less than 0.05). Weight loss was greater in the placebo group at high altitude (p less than 0.01) and this correlated with the fall in exercise performance (p less than 0.001). During the expedition anterior quadriceps muscle thickness fell by 12.9% in the control group and 8.5% in the Az group (p less than 0.001), while biceps muscle thickness fell by 8.6% in controls and 2.3% in the Az group (p less than 0.001). Measurements of skin-fold thickness indicated a loss of 18% of total body fat in the placebo group and 5% in the Az group by the end of the expedition (p less than 0.001). Calorie intakes at altitudes above 3000 m were low and similar for the two groups. The Az group had fewer symptoms of acute mountain sickness but differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Acetazolamide is therefore useful for climbers and trekkers who are acclimatised to high altitudes. It could be most useful at extreme altitudes, where maintenance of exercise performance and muscle mass are important.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bradwell
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Dykes
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Coote
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Milles
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chesner
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001835:Body Weight; D002214:Capsules; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009051:Mountaineering; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005223:Fats; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000086:Acetazolamide; D010100:Oxygen