Cognitive and motor performance after 12 h sleeping in oxygen enriched room air and after exercise at high altitude

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2003.30.020

Abstract：AIM:To investigate the feasibility and assess the efficacy of oxygen enrichment in improving neuropsychological performance in lowlanders living at high altitude. METHODS:A trial was performed on 20 healthy young men,Han Nationality,having lived for 6 months at 3700 meter altitude.The subjects were divided into three groups,and those in each group had lived for 12 hours in a 40.5 m3 airtight room with oxygen concentration between 24%- 25%( oxygen-enriched room air) .Baseline tests on photosignal memory,and on hand foot coordination have been conducted before oxygen enrichment by using a DDX-200 computer assisted multifunctional neurophychological monitoring system.The tests were repeated after the candidates performing a bicycle training program(index:power 225- 250 W,pulse rate 175- 180/min) and after they sleeping for 12 hours in oxygen enriched room air. RESULTS:Both the frequency and the success rate of right hand left foot alternative movement during baseline tests prior to oxygen enrichment were significantly higher than those tested after bicycle training(t=5.74,3.81,P< 0.01).Oxygen enrichment improved both the frequency and success rate of right hand left foot alternative movement and left hand right foot alternative movementin comparison with that tested after bicycle training and without oxygen enrichment(t=3.85,4.22,P< 0.01), and the failure rate was significantly lower( t=2.63,P< 0.05) .Failure rate of photosignal memory was significantly decreased after oxygen enrichment than that tested after bicycle training and without oxygen enrichment(t=4.79,2.27,P< 0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSION:Oxygen enrichment of room air can significantly improve the neuropsychological performance in lowlanders are commuting to high altitude.