Changes of Cognitive Ability and Circulatory Physiological Parameters Among Adolescents Moving From Altitudes of 3600 m to 500 m in China: A 50-Day Follow up Study

Abstract

Background: Travelling across altitude is increasing these days. The effects of travelling from high to low altitude on cognitive and physiological parameters of native highlander adolescents is not clear. The present study aimed to measure the changes of cognitive ability and circulatory physiological parameters when Tibetan adolescents move from high to low altitude, and to test the association between cognitive function change and changes in circulatory parameters.

Method: General fluid intelligence, oxygen saturation, hemoglobin concentration, heart rate and blood pressure of 71 Tibetan adolescents were measured twice, initially at Lhasa city (altitude 3600 m) and again 50 days after arriving at Chengdu (altitude 500 m).

Results: The mean intelligence scores remained unchanged when students moved from high to low altitude. However, the mean hemoglobin concentration, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased while mean oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure increased. No associations between change of intelligence and changes of circulatory physiological parameters were detected.

Conclusions: Travelling from high to low altitude altered the mean value of circulatory physiological parameters but not cognition of Tibetan adolescents. Change of cognitive function was not associated with changes in physiological parameters.