Training in Hypoxia to Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness

Overview

Some studies suggest that high-altitude related illnesses – like acute mountain sickness - could be prevented by acclimatisation, reached at low altitude using training in simulated altitude. The purpose of this study is to determine whether training in hypoxia is suitable to prevent acute mountain sickness.

Full Title of Study: “Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) by Intermittent Hypoxic Training”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Prevention
    • Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: August 2008

Detailed Description

In a three week-period, healthy probands undergo 3 times a week a bicycle ergometer training in simulated altitude followed by 1 week passive exposure at simulated low altitude. 5 days after last exposure, a field study starts performing a rapid ascent to the Capanna Regina Margherita (4559m). Acute mountain sickness is assessed by established scoring systems.

Interventions

  • Other: hypoxia
    • training in simulated altitude in a hypoxic chamber (normobaric hypoxia)
  • Other: normoxia
    • training under normoxic conditions

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Active Comparator: Hypoxia
    • training in simulated altitude
  • Placebo Comparator: Normoxia
    • training under normoxic conditions

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Incidence of acute mountain sickness
    • Time Frame: after 20 hours at 4559m

Secondary Measures

  • Severity of acute mountain sickness
    • Time Frame: after 20 hours at 4559m

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • healthy – non-smoker – endurance training min. 2x/week Exclusion Criteria:

  • any diseases – previous exposure to altitudes higher than 2000m (last 6 weeks)

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: 55 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Heidelberg University
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Medical Clinic, University of Heidelberg
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Kai Schommer, MD, Principal Investigator, Departement of Sports Medicine, University of Heidelberg
  • Overall Contact(s)
    • Kai Schommer, MD, +496221568256, kai.schommer@med.uni-heidelberg.de

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