Effects of mild hypoxia in aviation on mood and complex cognition.
Thirty six volunteer air force personnel were sequentially exposed in a randomized balanced order in a hypobaric chamber to 30 min of baseline (sea level) and mild hypoxia induced by a specified altitude (sea level, 8000 ft and 12,000 ft), followed immediately by breathing 100% oxygen from an oro-nasal mask. Mood and complex cognition were assessed. Analysis of variance indicated that mood (fatigue and vigour) remained the same at 8000 ft but fatigue was increased (p = 0.001) and vigour reduced (p = 0.035) at 12,000 ft and was restored by supplementary oxygen. Complex cognition was not significantly altered by the test conditions. The results of this study do not support prior evidence that mild hypoxia equivalent to either 8000 or 12,000 ft, impairs complex cognition, but suggests that some aspects of mood may be affected at 12,000 ft and can be restored by breathing 100% oxygen.
Centre for Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health, School of Public Health, Massey University, New Zealand. Electronic address: s.j.legg@massey.ac.nz.
S J
SJ
Legg
School of Aviation, Massey University, New Zealand.
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A
Gilbey
School of Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand.
S
S
Hill
School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, New Zealand.
A
A
Raman
University of Paris-Sud, France.
A
A
Dubray
Royal New Zealand Airforce Aviation Medicine Unit, New Zealand.
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G
Iremonger
School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, New Zealand.
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T
Mündel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000339:Affect; D000399:Air Pressure; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009520:New Zealand; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011581:Psychological Tests; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen
Altitude; Aviation; Performance; Psychology; Stressors