Research

While running the Ojos del Salado 2012 MedExpedition, we will conduct the research for leading scientific institutions in Poland:

Medicine

  • pioneering medical research on human physiology in extreme conditions:
    – altitude above 4 000 m.a.s.l. (target > 6 000 m.a.s.l.)
    – air pressure of 400 hPa (approx. 40% of normal pressure)
    – temperature < -25° C
  •  first research of this kind conducted both above and underwater!

Medical research will cover:

  • Physiology of circulatory and respiratory systems – study the influence of altitude and acclimatization to the functioning of the circulatory and respiratory systems,
  • Autonomous system – examination of the impact of altitude above 4 000 meters the autonomous system of human body.
  • The quality of sleep – testing an influence of altitude and level of acclimatization on a sleep quality.
  • Change in blood parameters – studying the impact of staying at a altitude of over 4000 meters to the parameters of the peripheral blood.
  • Cardiovascular research – the impact of staying at a altitude of 4 000-7 000 m on the human body.
  •  Psychological research – studying the impact of altitude on the cognitive functions – memory, planning ability, learning, reaction time and spatial functions.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1. Tests performed before the expedition:

  • anthropometric studies incl. fat tissue measurements,
  • heart rate, blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate per minute, echocardiography,
  • evaluation of autonomic system in ECG Holter
  • evaluation of physical fitness (ergospirometry)
  • spirometry with bronchial obstruction reversibility test
  • laboratory tests: complete blood count (CBC), Na, K, Fe, Ferritin, TIBC, AlAT, AspAT, carbamide, creatinine, glucose level, lipidogram, coagulation system, urinalysis (UA)
  • cognitive functions evaluation – memory, planning ability, learning, reaction time and spatial functions with standard psychological methods adapted to be performed in a demanding high mountain conditions

2. Test performed during the expedition (at altitude 4.000 – 7.000 m)

  • cognitive functions evaluation – memory, planning ability, learning, reaction time and spatial functions with standard psychological methods adapted to be performed in a demanding high mountain conditions,
  • everyday ECG with Holter
  • everyday evaluation of heart rate, blood pressure,  arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate per minute (2 times a day)
  • blood parameters tests- hemoglobin and hematocrit HCT (once a day), glucose level, lactic acid level (two times a day)
  • urinalalysis UA – once a day
  • acclimatisation level (AMS Lake Luise Score)
  • sleep quality (insomnia scale)
  • gathering detailed data on altitude reached, total time of extensive trekking, sleep
    hours, water consumption, diuresis
  • Examination of heart rate during the highest altitude dive with ECG, blood pressure and
    blood saturation before, and after dive.

3. Tests performed after the expedition:

  • anthropometric studies incl. fat tissue measurements,
  • heart rate, blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate per minute, echocardiography,
  • evaluation of autonomic system in ECG Holter
  • evaluation of physical fitness (ergospirometry)
  • spirometry with bronchial obstruction reversibility test
  • laboratory tests: complete blood count (CBC), Na, K, Fe, Ferritin, TIBC, AlAT, AspAT, carbamide, creatinine, glucose level, lipidogram, coagulation system, urinalysis (UA)
  • cognitive functions evaluation – memory, planning ability, learning, reaction time and spatial functions with standard psychological methods adapted to be performed in a demanding high mountain conditions

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Hydrology and geomorphology research

Goals:

A) understanding the dynamics of hydrologic changes of the highest lake in the  world.  The reservoir  is situated at altitude of 6350 m,   above the climatic snow line (5300 -5500 m), where snow and ice cover the ground throughout the year . The existence of a reservoir of liquid water at this altitude remains a mystery. Possible hypotheses include: 1) supply the lake with  water arising from the melting snow, 2) heating with geothermal heat (so-called „hotspot”), and 3) a significant salinity of the tank, lowering the freezing point.

B) examin eolian forms (developed by the wind) surrounding the lake and sediments from the shore and lake bottom. Pictures made ​​from a distance (no close ups of the lake are available) indicate the occurrence of eolian forms by about 0.5-1.0 m height and the extent of 3-5 + meters.

C) comparing the chemical composition of 3-5 mountain lakes (3800-6350 masl) in Ojos del Salado area.

The research program was created by and consulted with geomorphologists from Warsaw University (Institute of Physical Geography) – Ph.D Ewa Smolarska, Ph.D Barbara Woronko and Ph.D. Piotr Szwarczewski. We will gather samples of sediments and provide with photo and video documentation. We also make detailed  measurements of the lake with laser ragefinder and the depth when diving.