The effects of high altitude on choice reaction time mean and intra-individual variability: Results of the Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition of 2008.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the effects of high altitude on reaction time (RT) mean and intra-individual variability.


METHODS
Ten students (6 men, 4 women) took a 4-choice RT test and had their vital signs and Lake Louise (LL) score measured on 21 occasions during the Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition of 2008 to the Western Himalayas (max. altitude 5,565 m).


RESULTS
Linear mixed modeling revealed that mean RT was significantly impaired at altitudes above 4,000 m (p < .001), but relatively unaffected below that threshold. An estimated increase in RT between 4,000 and 5,000 m was 15.5 ms, 95% CI [11.1, 19.9]. LL score was related to slower RTs (B = 1.97, 95% CI [0.70, 3.23], p < .01), while number of errors was associated with faster RTs (B = -1.50, 95% CI [-2.60, -0.39], p < .01). There were persistent practice effects in mean RT (B = -2.16, 95% CI [-2.49, -1.83], p < .001. Log-transformed intra-individual variability in RT increased with higher LL scores (B = 0.01801, 95% CI [0.0049, 0.0311], p < .01) and decreased with rising temperature (B = -0.00754, 95% CI [-0.0119, -0.0032], p < .001). However, after controlling for mean RT, these effects were no longer significant.


CONCLUSIONS
RTs become significantly impaired above a threshold of 4,000 m. Altitude-related changes in RT intra-individual variability were accounted for by mean RT.
Dykiert
Dominika
D
Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Hall
David
D
van Gemeren
Nikki
N
Benson
Richard
R
Der
Geoff
G
Starr
John M
JM
Deary
Ian J
IJ
D000531:Altitude; D001831:Body Temperature; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen