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Reduced hypoxic ventilatory response with preserved blood oxygenation in yoga trainees and Himalayan Buddhist monks at altitude: evidence of a different adaptive strategy?

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Abstract

Yoga induces long-term changes in respiratory function and control. We tested whether it represents a successful strategy for high-altitude adaptation. We compared ventilatory, cardiovascular and hematological parameters in: 12 Caucasian yoga trainees and 12 control sea-level residents, at baseline and after 2-week exposure to high altitude (Pyramid Laboratory, Nepal, 5,050 m), 38 active lifestyle high-altitude natives (Sherpas) and 13 contemplative lifestyle high-altitude natives with practice of yoga-like respiratory exercises (Buddhist monks) studied at 5,050 m. At baseline, hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), red blood cell count and hematocrit were lower in Caucasian yoga trainees than in controls. After 14 days at altitude, yoga trainees showed similar oxygen saturation, blood pressure, RR interval compared to controls, but lower HVR (−0.44 ± 0.08 vs. −0.98 ± 0.21 l/min/m/%SaO2, P < 0.05), minute ventilation (8.3 ± 0.9 vs. 10.8 ± 1.6 l/min, P < 0.05), breathing rate (indicating higher ventilatory efficiency), and lower red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, erythropoietin and soluble transferrin receptors. Hypoxic ventilatory response in monks was lower than in Sherpas (−0.23 ± 0.05 vs. −0.63 ± 0.09 l/min/m/%SaO2, P < 0.05); values were similar to baseline data of yoga trainees and Caucasian controls, respectively. Red blood cell count and hematocrit were lower in monks as compared to Sherpas. In conclusion, Caucasian subjects practicing yoga maintain a satisfactory oxygen transport at high altitude, with minimal increase in ventilation and with reduced hematological changes, resembling Himalayan natives. Respiratory adaptations induced by the practice of yoga may represent an efficient strategy to cope with altitude-induced hypoxia.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant (“Progetti Speciali”) from IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo, Pavia, Italy. We gratefully acknowledge Mr. Douglas Blackely, Colin Corp, San Antonio, TX, USA, for providing the COLIN 7000 devices and other equipment used in this study; Prof. Enrico Solcia, Scientific Director of IRCCS S.Matteo, Pavia, and Dr. Pasquale Bellotti (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano), for providing material support; Mr. Agostino Da Polenza, Mr. Giampietro Verza (Mountain Equipe, Bergamo), Prof. Renato Baudo (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), for providing the logistic support at the Pyramid and in the Khumbu Valley; the yoga trainees, the Sherpas and the Buddhist monks of the Khumbu Valley of Nepal who volunteered for this study.

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Correspondence to Claudio Passino.

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Bernardi, L., Passino, C., Spadacini, G. et al. Reduced hypoxic ventilatory response with preserved blood oxygenation in yoga trainees and Himalayan Buddhist monks at altitude: evidence of a different adaptive strategy?. Eur J Appl Physiol 99, 511–518 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0373-8

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