Effects of oxygenª²increased respirator on mentalª²physical capacity of PWC170 in high altitude environment

    JIN Chuan, LUO Erª²Ping, SHEN Guangª²Hao, WU Xiaoª²Ming, XIE Kangª²Ning

    Department of Military Medical Equipment & Metrology, School of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the effects of ¡°highland military portable oxygen increased respirator¡± on mentalª²physical capacity of PWC170 in high altitude hypoxic environment. METHODS: Thirty subjects, who had stayed at 3700 m for 10 d, performed with oxygenª²increased respirators an incremental exercise to the level of PWC170 on cycle ergometer. Then, the mentalª²physical capacity test was carried out with DDXª²200 multifunction psychological instrument 5 min after each exercise. To conduct a selfª²control test, without respirators, the experiment was repeated after 24 h. RESULTS: After using respirators, in the same limited period of time, the total frequency and correctness times of handsª²cross movement test increased significantly than those without respirators(79.0¡À19.9 vs 97.1¡À16.0, 77.9¡À20.3 vs 94.0¡À15.0, P<0.05), and the fault times declined significantly (2.8¡À2.1 vs 0.8¡À1.7, P<0.05). In vision division test, the total count (61.1¡À9.0 vs 68.4¡À6.5), times of correct performance (54.7¡À7.4 vs 60.6¡À4.5) increased significantly, and times of false performance (7.4¡À8.0 vs 1.7¡À2.8) decreased obviously (P<0.05) after wearing of oxygenª²increased respirator. CONCLUSION: Oxygenª²increased respirator can improve the mentalª²physical capacity in high altitude hypoxic environment. It can promote the acclimation to high altitude. ......