Annual Report 2006 - Ev-K2-CNR

ar2006 19-09-2007 10:36 Pagina 25
EFFECT OF SLOW BREATHING DURING HIGH ALTI-
TUDE EXPOSURE ON OXYGEN SATURATION,
RESPIRATORY FUNCTION AND AMS SCORE.
Principal investigator: Dr. Luciano Bernardi – University of
Pavia
Slow breathing (around 6/min) has been recently shown to
give better ventilation efficiency and higher oxygen saturation
in subject exposed to hypoxia and in subjects with certain
diseases. The hypothesis of the project implicates that
the adoption slow breathing during high altitude trekking
can improve acclimatization. The tests were carried out at
different altitudes: at sea level, along the Khumbu Valley and
at the Pyramid Laboratory-Observatory. All subjects were
evaluated by means of lung function test (slow and forced
spirometry, maximal and partial flow volume curve, closing
volume and respiratory oscillatory resistance); bioimpedance;
ventilatory pattern monitoring and oxygen saturation monitoring.
At sea level and at 5,050 m a.s.l. the subjects performed
a maximal cardiorespiratory exercise test while monitoring
ventilatory patterns. Urine and blood samples were
collected for subsequent measure of indirect indices of
endothelial permeability, inflammatory mediators and circulating
progenitors stem cells.
Seven Italian researchers took part at the mission: Prof.
Luciano Bernardi, Dr. Marta Agnesi, Prof. Claudio Passino, Dr.
Valter Fasano, Dr. Daniela Bonardi, Dr. Giuseppe Morici and
Dr. Gabriele Valli.
annual report 2006