Cognitive Effects of Repeated Acute Exposure to Very High Altitude Among Altitude-Experienced Workers at 5050 m.
High Alt Med Biol
; 20(4): 361-374, 2019 12.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31651199
ABSTRACT
Background:
We investigated altitude effects on different cognitive domains among perennial shift-workers at the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Observatory (5050 m), Chile. Materials andMethods:
Twenty healthy male workers were recruited and assigned to either a moderate-altitude first (MAF group, Test 1 2900 m and Test 2 5050 m) or to a high-altitude first (HAF group, Test 1 5050 m and Test 2 2900 m). Test 1 was conducted at the beginning and Test 2 at the end of the shift-work week. Processing speed (RTI, reaction time), attention (AST, attention-switching task, and RVP, rapid visual processing), and executive function (OTS, One Touch Stockings of Cambridge) were assessed.Results:
Of the three cognitive domains assessed, only processing speed showed altitude-at-test group interaction (RTI median five choice reaction time F1, 17 = 6.980, [Formula see text] = 0.291, p = 0.017). With acclimatization, there was a decrease in AST reaction latency mean (t17 = -2.155, dz = 1.086, p = 0.046), an increase in RVP accuracy (t17 = 2.733, dz = 1.398, p = 0.014), and a decrease in OTS mean latency first choice (t17 = -2.375, dz = 1.211, p = 0.03). Decreased variability in cognitive function was observed in AST reaction latency standard deviation (t17 = -2.524, dz = 1.282, p = 0.022) and in RVP response latency standard deviation (t17 = -2.35, dz = 1.177, p = 0.03) with acclimatization. At 5050 m of elevation, SpO2 was positively correlated with executive function in the MAF group (OTS problems solved on first choice r(5) = 0.839, p = 0.018) and negatively correlated with executive function latency standard deviations in the HAF group (OTS latency to first choice standard deviation r(10) = -0.618, p = 0.032).Conclusions:
Our findings highlight the importance of acclimatization and improvement of blood oxygen level, even among high altitude-experienced workers, to optimize performance of cognitively demanding work and reduce high altitude-associated health risks.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Exposición Profesional
/
Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales
/
Mal de Altura
/
Disfunción Cognitiva
/
Enfermedades Profesionales
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Revista:
High Alt Med Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá