Effect of a Prolonged Altitude Expedition on Glucose Tolerance and Abdominal Fatness |
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| Authors: | Mu-Tsung Chen Wen-Chih Lee Shih-Chang Chen Chiu-Chou Chen Chung-Yu Chen Shin-Da Lee |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Liberal Education , Shih Chien University;2. Committee for General Studies , Shih Hsin University;3. Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry at Taipei Physical Education College , China Medical University, Department of Rehabilitation Science;4. Department of Physical Therapy , China Medical University |
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| Abstract: | In the present study, we investigated the effect of a long-term mountain expedition on glucose tolerance and insulin action. Twelve registered mountaineers ages 31 years (SD = 1.1) participated in a 25-day expedition at a 2,200-3,800-m altitude with an average duration of 8 hr per day. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was substantially reduced during hiking. Glucose tolerance and insulin responses were measured prior to and twice during the expedition period. Maximal oxygen consumption increased from 43.0 ± 2.7 to 49.1 ± 2.2 mL/kg/min. Percentage of body fat decreased from 19.4 ± 6.8% to 16.9 ± 5.9%. The area under the curves for insulin and glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test were also reduced in Days 3 and 25. The present study demonstrated that altitude hiking activity is an effective lifestyle intervention to improve insulin action. |
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| Keywords: | Diabetes Hypoxia Insulin resistance Mountain hiking |
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