A comparison of cognitive function of male recruits three months after ascent to the plateau / 军事医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of 3-month-exposure to high altitude(4400 m) on military cognitive func-tion.Methods Using pre-post paired t-testdesign, thirty-seven male recruits were enrolled , eight cognitive function variables, including reaction time, speed-perception, time-perception, operating-dexterity, memory span, depth-percep-tion, short-term memory and attention span , were analyzed by paired comparison .Results After 3-month-exposure to 4400 m high altitude, movement time (P<0.05) was shortened, speed-perception became more accurate (P<0.05),memory span and short-term memory both declined slightly(P<0.05), and the errors in depth perception deteriorated (P<0.05). Moreover , the depth-perception was more prone to′see close′.Conclusion During the 3-month-exposure to higher altitude environments , many of the cognitive functions of soldiers may be damaged to different extents , and the negative effect on re-action and movement time , depth-perception and memory is more remarkable .