title: Rating of perceived exertion and acute mountain sickness during a high-altitude trek.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a widely held belief that strenuous exercise should be avoided on arrival at high altitude (HA) and during acclimatization. Data from chamber studies are contradictory and the studies are usually of short duration, therefore differing from the "real world."
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 48 trekkers during a 10-d ascent to 16,827 ft (5129 m) in the Cordillera Real area of Bolivia. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scores were recorded for the hardest perceived exertion during the day after ascents to 12,576, 14,600, and 16,827 ft (3833, 4450, and 5129 m). Heart rate, Spo2, and Lake Louise Score (LLS) were recorded simultaneously. Statistical testing was performed using SPSS 21 software. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was deemed significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acute mountain sickness (AMS) rates were higher after trekking days with higher levels of perceived exertion. The LLS was higher in those with a Borg RPE score ≥ 15 both following exercise (mean LLS 2.6 vs. 1.7) and at rest the following day (mean LLS 2.7 vs. 1.7). Heart rate was higher in those with high Borg RPE scores (80 vs. 87) and oxygen saturations lower at rest (86 vs. 83) the following morning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This data lends weight to the advice of moderate exertion during a trek to HA and suggests that reducing perceived exertion may reduce AMS.
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical Services and the Academic Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howley
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Watchorn
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen