I am a PhD student in Leeds and I am looking to conduct a research study later this year which will investigate methods for preacclimatising to high altitude. It is common knowledge that during the first few days at altitude, physical performance is dramatically reduced and symptoms of altitude sickness can occur in many individuals. However, these problems can be significantly reduced by acclimatising before your trip in an artificial high-altitude environment.
I am initially looking for interest from potential participants before I go ahead and finalise this study but generally it will compare the effects of resting or training in a high-altitude environment on physical and mental performance. Current research indicates that the duration of exposure should be around 2 hours a day, at least 5 days a week, at an altitude of 4000m. While you are resting at altitude you would be free to complete work, read or watch DVDs and the exercise training you complete would form part of, or replace your existing training sessions. This may sound like a large time commitment but if you are planning an expedition later this year then you can view this opportunity as an investment of time to provide you with some benefits at the start of your trip and we can co-ordinate the research to fall before your trip departure.
You will need to live locally to Leeds or be prepared to travel daily to participate. You will also need to be reasonably fit as your physical performance will be tested before and after the study to asses any changes. You do not have to have any altitude trips planned and may simply want to participate out of interest.
I hope there is sufficient interest to run this study as it is a very unique area which is not well understood due to the difficulty of conducting high-altitude studies!
Please e-mail me at a.seims@leedsmet.ac.uk to express interest and provide an indication of whether you have an expedition planned and would like to co-ordinate the timing of your participation with this. It is likely that the study will commence early September.
I put an ad up on UKC but the forum moderators have taken it off as I wasn't aware I needed to ask permission first. Hopefully I can sort that out and get it put back on as that would definitely be a suitable place.
There may be people on here who are going to do some high altitude trekking such as Annapurna BC or circuit, the Inca trail etc etc.
