Effect of Physical Training on Oxygen Saturation at Very High Altitude in Young Males

Authors

  • Syed Hassan Raza Department of Pulmonology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Shahzeb Ahmed Satti Department of Pulmonology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Abdur Rehaman Arshad Department of Nephrology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Azhar Ali Chaudry Department of Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology & National Institute of Heart Diseases /National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
  • Muhammad Imran Department of Pulmonology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Raheel Iftikhar Department of Clinical Hematology, Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre /National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74i6.11025

Keywords:

High Altitude, Oxygen Saturation, Physical Training, Young Individuals

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of physical training on oxygen saturation at very high altitude in young male individuals.

Study Design:  Prospective longitudinal study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pulmonology PEMH Rawalpindi from Jun–Jul 2022.

Methodology: The study was done on 250 young individuals arriving at a height of 11,820 feet for the very first time. All individuals were made to stay at the same height for the study period of 28 days. Individuals were tasked to walk 100 meters daily at a steady pace to ensure physical activity. Oxygen saturation was measured, before and after walking 100 meters at a height of 11,820 feet on day 0, day 7, day 14 and day 28 respectively.

Results: Mean age of the study participants was 28.08±4.82 years. On day 0, post walk average oxygen saturation was 91.53±1.80%. After a stay of 28 days at a height of 11, 820 feet post walk average oxygen saturation increased to 92.24±2.18%.  

Conclusion: The oxygen saturation of young individuals improved over a period of 28 days stay after physical training. Human body adapts to physical training at high altitude by undergoing a large number of physiological processes resulting in improved exercising capacity and increase in oxygen saturation over a period of time.

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Published

31-12-2024

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Original Articles

How to Cite

1.
Raza SH, Satti SA, Arshad AR, Chaudry AA, Imran M, Iftikhar R. Effect of Physical Training on Oxygen Saturation at Very High Altitude in Young Males. Pak Armed Forces Med J [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 31 [cited 2025 Jan. 13];74(6):1624-7. Available from: https://pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/11025