Caffrey D, Miranda JJ, Gilman RH, Davila-Roman VG, Cabrera L, Dowling R, Stewart T, Bernabe-Ortiz A, Wise R, Leon-Velarde F, Checkley W; CRONICAS Cohort Study Group.
Extrem Physiol Med. 2014 Feb 1;3(1):3.
We sought to determine if adult residents living at high altitude have developed sufficient adaptation to a hypoxic environment to match the functional capacity of a similar population at sea level. To test this hypothesis, we compared the 6-min walk test distance (6MWD) in 334 residents living at sea level vs. at high altitud.
The 6-min walk test predicted a lowered functional capacity among Andean high altitude vs. sea level natives at their altitude of residence, which could be explained by an incomplete adaptation or a protective mechanism favoring neuro- and cardioprotection over psychomotor activity.
