Moderate Exercise After Altitude Exposure Fails to Induce Decompression Sickness
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of exercise after altitude exposure (post-exposure exercise) on subsequent altitude decompression sickness (DCS) incidence. Existing USAF prohibition of exercise following altitude chamber training exposures and interest from operational personnel prompted our evaluation of post-exposure exercise as a DCS-inducing stressor. Methods: After a 1-h resting preoxygenation, 67 subjects were exposed to 30,000 ft for 2-h while performing mild, upper body exercise. The subjects were monitored for venous gas emboli (VGE) with an echo-imaging system and observed for signs and symptoms of DCS. Subjects without DCS (N=31) or with DOS which resolved during recompression (N=29) were randomly assigned to post-exposure rest (control, N=29) or moderate exercise (50% of peak oxygen uptake, dual-cycle ergometry; N=31) and both groups were monitored for delayed or recurring DOS. Results. The altitude exposure resulted in 48.3% DOS in the 60 volunteers serving as test or control subjects. Of 31 subjects assigned to the post-exposure exercise group, 15 had developed DOS which resolved during descent. No cases of DOS were observed or reported during or following post-exposure exercise. The results show that moderate exercise after exposure did not result in either delayed-onset or recurring DOS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA426862
Entities
People
- Andrew A. Pilmanis
- James T. Webb
- Michele D. Fischer