Blood pressure trend of lowlanders during first 6 days of acclimatisation to high altitude

Objectives: The present study was planned to delineate the blood pressure (BP) response of the lowlanders during initial 6 days of acclimatisation to high altitude. Materials and Methods: 398 normotensive sojourners at sea level ascended to HA (3,500 m). Blood pressure response of these subjects were analysed for 6 consecutive days at HA. Based on the BP response of these subjects on the 6th day at HA they were divided into two groups: HBP-high BP group and NBP- normal BP group. Results: It showed that on 6th day at HA, 51 out of 398 subjects presented with BP?140/90 mmHg (HBP) while others remained normotensive (NBP). Comparative systolic BP of HBP and NBP groups during successive days at HA were as follows: HA day 1 (146.8 ± 13.7 mmHg vs 146.3 ± 8.8 mmHg, p>0.05), HA day 4 (144.5 ± 8.7 mmHg vs 135.0 ± 7.0 mmHg, p<0.05) and HA day 6 (148.1 ± 7.9 mmHg vs 131.7 ± 5.3 mmHg, p<0.05). Whereas, diastolic BP of HBP and NBP groups were: HA day 1 (94.0 ± 8.1 mmHg vs 93.2 ± 6.6 mmHg, p>0.05), HA day 4 (88.9 ± 6.0 mmHg vs 85.3 ± 5.1 mmHg, p<0.05) and HA day 6 (93.8 ± 6.3 mmHg vs 83.7 ± 3.8 mmHg, p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that NBP had initially raised BP which returned to normal levels after acclimatisation period of 6 days, but in HBP, it started rising after 4th day. It can be concluded that those individuals whose BP on 6th day at HA does not return to normal after acclimatisation period needs regular follow up as these individuals can have a delayed acclimatisation normalising BP later on or can become hypertensive subsequently

Body Composition in Selective Groups of Elite Indian Sportsmen

Body composition is an important indicator of the physical fitness and health of athletes. Excess fat% inbody acts as dead weight which must be lifted against gravity during sports leading to increase in energydemands thereby decreasing performance. Endurance athletes require less fat-free mass% and fat %, asthey have to move their total body mass horizontally for extended periods thereby reducing performance.Body composition was analysed in 30 subjects each of Wrestling, Weightlifting, Boxing, Fencing andArchery. The results were analysed using SPSS and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and one way ANOVA wereused for analysis. Boxers were found to have the least percentage fat % and highest fat free mass% (FFM)(9.57±2.80, 90.43±2.80) whereas Weightlifters had the maximum fat% and least FFM% (11.47±2.52, 88.53±2.52)out of five disciplines of sports studied. Weightlifters needing firm hold and to maintain the centre of gravity,have a tendency for higher fat % compared to other sports. Boxers require muscle strength for forceful andexplosive activities and tend to have least fat % and maximum FFM%. Indian Wrestlers and Fencers havecomparable fat% to international standards.

Long term stay at low altitude (1,200 m) promotes better hypoxia adaptation and performance.

Acute exposure to high altitude hypoxia is known to decrease physical performance. The exercise performance increases during moderate altitude training (2000-3000 m) but benefits are overshadowed by adverse effect associated with hypoxia. Therefore, the study was designed to address whether low altitude of 1200 m could increase exercise performance without any adverse effects and a correlation with stay period (stay > 6 month) was optimized. In the present study residents of lower altitude (1200 m altitude) (LA) and sea level (SL) residents were subjected to sub-maximal exercise test and their exercise response in terms of postexercise heart rate and change in oxygen saturation was compared. Post-exercise peak heart rate (129.89±13.42 vs 146.00±11.81, p<0.05) was significantly lower and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) after exercise had a significant fall (95.3±2.26% vs 98±0% p<0.001) in LA residents. The hematological parameters like hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) taken as markers of physiological adaptation, were also found to be significantly higher in LA as compared to SL residents (Hb 16.13±0.70 vs 14.2±0.87, p<0.001 and Hct 47.42±2.08 vs 44.05±0.72, p<0.001). Overall, the study highlights that physiological adaptation at 1200 m results into a better exercise response and hematological benefit compared to sea level residents.