Preacclimatization in hypoxic chambers for high altitude sojourns.
BACKGROUND
Since hypoxic chambers are more and more available, they are used for preacclimatization to prepare for sojourns at high altitude. Since there are different protocols and the data differ, there is no general consensus about the standard how to perform preacclimatization by simulated altitude. The paper reviews the different types of exposure and focuses on the target groups which may benefit from preacclimatization.


CONCLUSIONS
Since data about intermittent hypoxia for some hours per day to reduce the incidence of acute mountain sickness differ, it is suggested to perform preacclimatization by sleeping some nights at a simulated altitude which follows the altitude profile of the "gold standard" for high altitude acclimatization.
Küpper
Thomas E A H
TE
Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. tkuepper@ukaachen.de
Schöffl
Volker
V
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001273:Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000502:physiology; D009051:Mountaineering; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors
D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit