Effects of Acute Exposure to Mild or Moderate Hypoxia on Human Psychomotor Performance and Visual-reaction Time
- VernacularTitle:急性轻、中度缺氧暴露对心理运动及反应时的影响
- Author:
Xueyi LI
;
Xingyu WU
;
Chuan FU
;
Xiaofeng SHEN
;
Changbin YANG
;
Yanhong WU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
altitude hypoxia;
simulated tests;
psychomotor;
reaction time;
performance
- From:Space Medicine & Medical Engineering
2000;13(4):235-239
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether psychomotor performance and visual reaction time were affected by acute exposure to mild or moderate hypoxia. Method Eighteen healthy male volunteers performed finger tapping, simple reaction time(SRT) and 4-choice reaction time(CRT) tests at simulated altitude of 300 m (control),2800 m, 3600 m and 4400 m for 1 h in a hypobaric chamber. Result SaO2 decreased from 98%(control) to 90%,82% and 74% respectively at the various altitudes. All the performance parameters showed no significant change after exposure to 2800 m for 1 h relative to ground level(P>0.05). However the mean reaction time of 4-CRT under 3600 m prolonged and performance decreased as compared with baseline value(P<0.05), and the performance decreased further under 4400 m(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in finger tapping and SRT even under exposure to 4400 m for 1 h.Furthermore, no decrease in correct rate were observed at any altitude (P>0.05). Conclusion The results from this study demonstrated that there were no measurable impairment of visual reaction time and psychomotor performance under exposure to an altitude of 2800 m for 1 h. However, adverse effects on psychomotor performance were observed under 3600 m and over.
