Austrian Moderate Altitude Studies (AMAS): benefits of exposure to moderate altitudes (1,500-2,500 m).
OBJECTIVE
A considerable part of the millions of Alpine tourists suffer from pre-existing diseases (e.g., metabolic syndrome) and high daily stress levels. The main goal of the Austrian Moderate Altitude Study (AMAS) was to investigate (a) the consequences of an active vacation at moderate altitude on the key parameters of the metabolic syndrome (AMAS I) and (b) the effects of a short active vacation on adult progenitor cells, bio-psychological parameters, and heart rate variability (HRV).


METHODS
During the AMAS I pilot study (n = 22; 1,700 m a.s.l.) and AMAS I main study (n = 71; 1,700 m a.s.l. and 200 m a.s.l.), the volunteers simulated 3-week coached hiking vacations. For AMAS II, healthy volunteers (n = 13) participated in a 1-week active holiday at 1,700 m.


RESULTS
There were significant improvements of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance of AMAS I patients after the vacation. In AMAS II participants, we found an increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells as well as improvements in bio-psychological and HRV parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Active vacations at moderate altitude are associated with a variety of positive health effects in persons with metabolic syndrome and in healthy subjects.
Schobersberger
Wolfgang
W
Institut für Sport-, Alpinmedizin und Gesundheitstourismus (ISAG), TILAK Innsbruck und UMIT, Eduard Wallnöfer-Zentrum 1, Hall/Tirol, Austria. wolfgang.schobersberger@uki.at
Leichtfried
Veronika
V
Mueck-Weymann
Michael
M
Humpeler
Egon
E
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001317:Austria; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D057193:Medical Tourism; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014195:Travel
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL