Effects of mountaineering training at high altitude (4350 m) on physical work performance of women

Background: Little is known about work performance of women in hypobaric hy poxia. Moreover, whether native women of moderate altitude (2000-2100 m) di ffer from their lowland counterparts in their ability to adjust to hypobari c hypoxia is also not known. Hence, physiological alterations on work perfo rmance due to mountaineering training with altitude adaptation was evaluate d in two groups of women and compared to the differences in the responses o f the native women of moderate altitudes (Highlanders-HL) with those uf the plains (Low-landers-LL). Methods: Pre-training tests were conducted at 210 0 m, then during sojourn to 4350 m and re-tested again after return to 2100 m. Physical work performance was assessed following standard step-test-exe rcise on a 30 cm stool with 24 cycles . min(-1) for 5 min. Heart rate, BP, Ventilation, oxygen consumption and oxygen saturation were monitored at res t and during Exercise followed by 5 min recovery in ail three situations. R esults: During initial assessment, HL showed higher cardiovascular efficien cy with faster recovery of exercise heart rate. Both groups showed signific ant improvement in physical performance due to mountaineering training at h igh altitude (HA). The difference in performance between two groups narrowe d down at 4350 m and further reduced during re-test with maintenance of ini tial superiority of the HL. Conclusions: a) Native women of moderate altitu de (HL) are more fit compared with their plains counterparts (LL); b) All w omen achieved marked improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory efficien cy as well as the step-test score due to intense mountaineering training at HA, and the rate of improvement in physical performance was higher in LL; c) Further, induction by trekking under progressive hypoxia coupled with ri gorous mountaineering activity at HA merits in understanding better acclima tization and improved physical performance.