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Coordination during acute isobaric hypoxia without exercise

corresponding to altitudes until 4500 m

Marius Schwager (sports science student),Dr. Sonja Claus (medic),

Dr. Hermann Claus (medic), Prof. i. R. Dr. H.-V. Ulmer (physiologist)

Institute for sports science, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany

marius.schwager@gmx.de

4th international Symposium:“High altitude influence on human performance: science and praxis” – Bohinjska Bela (Slovenia)

Sept. 8-13, 2009

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• mountaineering in high altitude has lots of consequences for human body

• metabolic aspects/physical fatigue are analyzed well

• previous study (BURKHARDT 2007) underlines that: - motor aspects are not well analyzed for

moderate altitudes- hypoxia might influence coordination

• high altitudes above ~4000 m: strong effect on body and central nervous system

introduction, aims, methods, results, diskussion, conclusion

________________________________________________________Schwager et al.: Coordination under Hypoxia, 4th Symposium, 2009

introduction

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• show influence of hypoxia on motor aspects• focus on „touristical height“ until 4500 m (europe,

alps)• show progress from low heights to medium

heights (2500-4500 m)• exclude metabolic aspects/physical fatigue• use task-typical tests

Introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

________________________________________________________Schwager et al.: Coordination under Hypoxia, 4th Symposium, 2009

aims

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9 subjects 5 female, 4 male, (students with inconspicuous Hb-values)

introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

• sitting in a chair in front of table • performing 2 tests after a pretest-training until plateau

values• use of breathing mask: simulating hypoxia via O2-reduction• simulating practical-relevant tasks for mountaineering:

1) handling a rope2) handling snap hooks

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methods

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

1) test: handling a rope

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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2) test: handling snap hooks

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

• isobaric hypoxia was generated (Hypoxico, USA), for 10 min, each

• 4 levels: low level: “0 m” (= niveau of Mainz), 2500 m, 3500 m and 4500 m

• systematically changing order • one repetition and a control series (“0 m” low level).

• Measurements of: • needed test-time (accuracy: 0.2 s) • inspiratory O2-concentration• heart rate (fingerclip oxymeter) • Hb-saturation (fingerclip oxymeter)

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

No principle problems during the alltogether 45 experiments

with the 9 subjects

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results

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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sD 1.2 1.7 1.8 2.4 1.5

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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sD 3.4 3.7 3.9 3.9 3.4

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

relative average difference of needed test-time in relation to averaged 0 m (pre- + posttest)

  2500 m 3500 m 4500 mhandling rope 7 % 7 % 15 %

handling snap hooks 5 % 7 % 13 %

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discussion

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

test: handling a rope

< median > median

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15

20

time

(s)

VP2

VP3

VP5

VP7

10,0

15,0

20,0

time

(s)

VP1

VP4

VP8

VP9

median split

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

________________________________________________________Schwager et al.: Coordination under Hypoxia, 4th Symposium, 2009

median split (2)

relative average difference of needed test-time: 4500 m - average 0 m

rope snap hooks

> median 22 % 17 %

< median 7 % 9 %

median 14 % 14 %

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

• regarding means of test-times: • no influence of training effects• (continuous) increase from 2500 m – 4500 m• effect of hypoxia measurable after 10 min of exposition,

each level• allover only a very light effect

the coordination is only lightly affected by hypoxia

• some individuals are higher affected then others depending on personal disposition

• some subjects had problems with handling snap hooks and rope add measurement: “movement quality”________________________________________________________

Schwager et al.: Coordination under Hypoxia, 4th Symposium, 2009

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• only very light effect of hypoxia on coordination until 4500 m while rest (no physical action)

• some individuals more affected then others coordinative influence depending distincly on

personal disposition

• stronger negative effect on coordination might be possible

add intensive physical exercise

introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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final conclusions

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introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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Thanks for your attention

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Literature1. BEITZEL, K. (2006): Auswirkungen hypobarer Hypoxie auf die Reaktionsfähigkeit im Alter, Dissertation, Hohe Medizinische Fakultät, Bonn, http://hss.ulb.uni-bonn.de/diss_online/med_fak/2006/beitzel_knut. 2. BURKHARDT, T. (2007): Der Einfluss des Sauerstoffmangels auf die Koordination bzw. Technik beim Bergsport. Diplomarbeit, Institut für Sportwissenschaft Mainz, abstract under: http://www.uni-mainz.de/FB/Sport/physio/pdffiles/BURKHARDT_DiplKurzf_XI-07.pdf.3. ELSNER, D., HAASE, J. (2000): Bergsport-Handbuch, Reinbek bei Hamburg.4. MEINEL, K., SCHNABEL, G. (2008). Bewegungslehre – Sportmotorik, Aachen.

introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion, final conclusion

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