The Psychophysiological Effect of Simulated and Terrestrial Altitude

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Research has consistently shown that exposure to extreme environments (such as high altitude stays) may affect cognitive function. For logistical reasons and to control the experimental set-ups, most of these examinations are carried out in the laboratory. By testing under such controlled conditions...

Research has consistently shown that exposure to extreme environments (such as high altitude stays) may affect cognitive function. For logistical reasons and to control the experimental set-ups, most of these examinations are carried out in the laboratory. By testing under such controlled conditions, researchers can remove any co-foundational factors and isolate the cause of stress, thereby better understanding the mechanisms by which impairment can occur. However, when people are exposed to such environments in the "real world" (such as altitude), they often experience a number of other additional stressors at the same time, which can also affect their performance. Surprisingly, however, little attention has been paid to the study of these additional stressors in combination. Although the oxygen content remains constant at various altitudes (20.93%), the air pressure decreases exponentially as the altitude increases. As a result, the oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood and tissue is reduced (hypoxia), leading to a deterioration in both physical and cognitive performance. Hypoxic conditions also alter the perception of pain, which may be particularly relevant for patients suffering from hypoxic conditions. According to the authors' knowledge, there is limited literature investigating and comparing simulated and real psychophysiological responses.

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