Journal article
Impaired postural control in healthy men at moderate altitude (1630 M and 2590 M): Data from a randomized trial
PLoS One, Vol.10(2), e0116695
2015
Abstract
Objectives: Intact postural control is essential for safe performance of mountain sports, operation of machinery at altitude, and for piloting airplanes. We tested whether exposure to hypobaric hypoxia at moderate altitude impairs the static postural control of healthy subjects. Methods: In 51 healthy men, median age 24 y (quartiles 20;28), static control was evaluated on a balance platform in Zurich, 490 m, and during a 4-day sojourn in Swiss mountain villages at 1630 m and 2590 m, 2 days each. The order of altitude exposure was randomized. Total center of pressure path length (COPL) and sway amplitude measured in two directions by a balance platform, and pulse oximetry were recorded. Data were compared between altitudes. Results: Median (quartiles) COPL during standing on both legs with eyes open at 490 m and in the evenings on the first and second days at 1630 and 2590 m, respectively were: 50 (45;57), 55 (48;62), 56 (49;61), 53 (47;59), 54 (48;60) cm, P<0.001 ANOVA. Corresponding arterial oxygen saturation was 97% (96;97), 95% (94;96), 95%(94;96), 92%(90;93), 93%(91;93), P<0.001. Anterior-posterior sway amplitudes were larger at 1630 and 2590 m compared to 490 m, P<0.001. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that higher altitudes (1630 and 2590m) were independently associated with increased COPL when controlled for the order of altitude exposure and age (P=0.001). Conclusions: Exposure to 1630 and 2590m was associated with impaired static postural control even when visual references were available. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01130948. © 2015 Stadelmann et al.
Details
- Title
- Impaired postural control in healthy men at moderate altitude (1630 M and 2590 M): Data from a randomized trial
- Authors
- K Stadelmann (Author) - University of Zurich, SwitzerlandT D Latshang (Author) - University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandC M Lo Cascio (Author) - University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandRoss Clark (Author) - University of MelbourneR Huber (Author) - University Hospital Zurich, SwitzerlandM Kohler (Author) - University of Zurich, SwitzerlandP Achermann (Author) - University of Zurich, SwitzerlandK E Bloch (Author) - University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.10(2), e0116695
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0116695
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2015 Stadelmann et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451073602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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