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Human Performance in Extreme Environments
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Human Performance in Extreme Environments

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2023) | Viewed by 10323

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Dustin Russel Slivka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Interests: electronics; automation; mechatronics; robot; bioengineringtranslational exercise biology including environmental physiology, sport performance, exercise training, and mitochondrial dysfunction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Humans must perform in varied environmental conditions including high altitude, as well as high and low temperature. These environmental stresses challenge homeostasis and provide a stimulus to which the body responds in a positive or negative way. Several physiological, psychological, biological, molecular, and biomechanical systems are involved in the whole-body response to environmental stress.  The myriad systems affected add to the complexity of responses and outcomes. Some researchers have worked to optimize the response in a more efficient manner, while others have worked to harness the stress to optimize other aspects of human health, performance, and recovery.

This Special Issue of International Journal of Research and Public Health (IJERPH) will focus on how humans respond to both acute and chronic exposure to varied environmental conditions. Specifically, aspects of altitude or hypoxia, environmental heat and cold, hot/cold-water immersion, local heating or cooling of tissues, air quality, and other environmental stimuli that disrupt human function are invited. We expect that some submissions will be internally valid laboratory-based research, while others will be externally valid field-based research.

Dr. Dustin Slivka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • altitude
  • hypoxia
  • heat
  • cold
  • environment
  • thermoregulation
  • acclimation
  • acclimatization

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1241 KiB  
Article
Exercise-Induced Elevated BDNF Concentration Seems to Prevent Cognitive Impairment after Acute Exposure to Moderate Normobaric Hypoxia among Young Men
by Maciej Chroboczek, Sylwester Kujach, Marcin Łuszczyk, Hideaki Soya and Radosław Laskowski
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3629; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043629 - 18 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1492
Abstract
Memory impairment, reduced learning ability, decreased concentration, and psychomotor performance can be all signs of deleterious impact of hypoxia on cognitive functioning. In turn, physical exercise can improve performance and enhance cognitive functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the [...] Read more.
Memory impairment, reduced learning ability, decreased concentration, and psychomotor performance can be all signs of deleterious impact of hypoxia on cognitive functioning. In turn, physical exercise can improve performance and enhance cognitive functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the potential positive effects of exercise performed under normobaric hypoxia can counteract the negative effects of hypoxia on cognitive function, and whether these changes correlate with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations. Seventeen healthy subjects participated in a crossover study where they performed two sessions of single breathing bouts combined with moderate intensity exercise under two conditions: normoxia (NOR EX) and normobaric hypoxia (NH EX). To assess cognitive function, Stroop test was applied. There were no significant differences in any part of the Stroop interference test regardless of the conditions (NOR, NH), despite a statistical decrease in SpO2 (p < 0.0001) under normobaric hypoxic conditions. In addition, a statistical increase (p < 0.0001) in BDNF concentration was observed after both conditions. Acute exercise under normobaric hypoxia did not impair cognitive function despite a significant decrease in SpO2. Exercise in such conditions may offset the negative effects of hypoxia alone on cognitive function. This may be related to the significant increase in BDNF concentration and, as a consequence, positively affect the executive functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Extreme Environments)
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10 pages, 337 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Psychological and Social Fitness in Healthy Adults Permanently Living at Very High Altitude
by Chun Gao, Jizong Ciren, Dan Wang, Zhaohui Zhang, Ruidong Ge and Li’e Yan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2013; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20032013 - 21 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1401
Abstract
Background: Environmental factors of high altitude, especially hypobaric hypoxia, may directly and persistently affect human physical and mental health. Our study was designed to assess the psychological and social fitness in healthy adults permanently living at very high altitude, i.e., an average elevation [...] Read more.
Background: Environmental factors of high altitude, especially hypobaric hypoxia, may directly and persistently affect human physical and mental health. Our study was designed to assess the psychological and social fitness in healthy adults permanently living at very high altitude, i.e., an average elevation of 3650 m. Methods: In our observational study, 320 participants were included, among which 218 (68.1%) had resided in such a setting for more than 20 years. Participants underwent 138 assessments, including the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90) and the Evaluation Scale of Human Adaptation Capability (ESHAC). SAS (20 items) and SCL-90 (90 items) were used to assess psychological fitness, and the ESHAC (28 items) was used to assess social fitness. Pearson analysis was used to assess correlations and Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent influencing factors. Results: The highest SAS score was 80 and the mean score was 43.26 ± 8.88, which was higher than the norm in China (p < 0.001). Sixty (18.8%) participants showed anxiety symptoms and 14 (4.4%) had moderate or severe anxiety. The average score of SCL-90 was 140.88 ± 44.77, and 96 (30.0%) participants showed SCL-90 scores ≥160. Compared with the norm, significant differences were shown in eight of the nine SCL-90 factor scores, i.e., somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. The average score of ESHAC was 19.92 ± 4.54, and 114 (35.6%) participants did not reach the qualifying standard. Significant correlations were observed between the SAS score, SCL-90 total and factor scores, and ESHAC scores. The Logistic regression analysis showed that being born at very high altitude was an independent influencing factor (AOR = 2.619; 95% CI, 1.629–4.211; p < 0.001) after controlling for other factors. Conclusion: Permanently living at very high altitude can influence the psychological and social fitness of healthy adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Extreme Environments)
15 pages, 721 KiB  
Article
Heat Acclimation in Females Does Not Limit Aerobic Exercise Training Outcomes
by Mark L. McGlynn, Christopher Collins, Walter Hailes, Brent Ruby and Dustin Slivka
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5554; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095554 - 03 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2236
Abstract
Recent aerobic exercise training in the heat has reported blunted aerobic power improvements and reduced mitochondrial-related gene expression in men. It is unclear if this heat-induced blunting of the training response exists in females. The purpose of the present study was to determine [...] Read more.
Recent aerobic exercise training in the heat has reported blunted aerobic power improvements and reduced mitochondrial-related gene expression in men. It is unclear if this heat-induced blunting of the training response exists in females. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of 60 min of cycling in the heat over three weeks on thermoregulation, gene expression, and aerobic capacity in females. Untrained females (n = 22; 24 ± 4yoa) were assigned to three weeks of aerobic training in either 20 °C (n = 12) or 33 °C (n = 10; 40%RH). Maximal aerobic capacity (39.5 ± 6.5 to 41.5 ± 6.2 mL·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.021, ηp2 = 0.240, 95% CI [0.315, 3.388]) and peak aerobic power (191.0 ± 33.0 to 206.7 ± 27.2 W, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.531, 95% CI [8.734, 22.383]) increased, while the absolute-intensity trial (50%VO2peak) HR decreased (152 ± 15 to 140 ± 13 b·min−1, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.691, 95% CI [15.925, 8.353]), but they were not different between temperatures (p = 0.440, p = 0.955, p = 0.341, respectively). Independent of temperature, Day 22 tolerance trial skin temperatures decreased from Day 1 (p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.319, 95% CI [1.408, 0.266), but training did not influence core temperature (p = 0.598). Average sweat rates were higher in the 33 °C group vs. the 20 °C group (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.303, 95% CI [67.9, 394.9]) but did not change due to training (p = 0.571). Pre-training PGC-1α mRNA increased 4h-post-exercise (5.29 ± 0.70 fold change, p < 0.001), was lower post-training (2.69 ± 0.22 fold change, p = 0.004), and was not different between temperatures (p = 0.455). While training induced some diminished transcriptional stimulus, generally the training temperature had little effect on genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, and metabolic enzymes. These female participants increased aerobic fitness and maintained an exercise-induced PGC-1α mRNA response in the heat equal to that of room temperature conditions, contrasting with the blunted responses previously observed in men. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Extreme Environments)
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14 pages, 583 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study
by Aneta Teległów, Valerjan Romanovski, Beata Skowron, Dawid Mucha, Łukasz Tota, Joanna Rosińczuk and Dariusz Mucha
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 424; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19010424 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2410
Abstract
Regular exposure to a cold factor—cold water swimming or ice swimming and cold air—results in an increased tolerance to cold due to numerous adaptive mechanisms in humans. Due to the lack of scientific reports on the effects of extremely low outdoor temperatures on [...] Read more.
Regular exposure to a cold factor—cold water swimming or ice swimming and cold air—results in an increased tolerance to cold due to numerous adaptive mechanisms in humans. Due to the lack of scientific reports on the effects of extremely low outdoor temperatures on the functioning of the human circulatory system, the aim of this study was to evaluate complete blood count and biochemical blood indices in multiple Guinness world record holder Valerjan Romanovski, who was exposed to extremely cold environment from −5 °C to −37 °C for 50 days in Rovaniemi (a city in northern Finland). Valerjan Romanovski proved that humans can function in extremely cold temperatures. Blood from the subject was collected before and after the expedition. The subject was found to have abnormalities for the following blood indices: testosterone increases by 60.14%, RBC decreases by 4.01%, HGB decreases by 3.47%, WBC decreases by 21.53%, neutrocytes decrease by 17.31%, PDW increases by 5.31%, AspAT increases by 52.81%, AlAT increase by 68.75%, CK increases by 8.61%, total cholesterol decreases by 5.88%, HDL increases by 28.18%. Percentage changes in other complete blood count and biochemical indices were within standard limits. Long-term exposure of the subject (50 days) to extreme cold stress had no noticeable negative effect on daily functioning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Extreme Environments)
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5 pages, 2830 KiB  
Case Report
Transient and Recurrent Vision Loss in a High-Altitude Porter from Pakistan on a Polish Winter Karakoram Expedition
by Robert K. Szymczak and Magdalena Sawicka
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12204; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212204 - 20 Nov 2021
Viewed by 1360
Abstract
Visual sensations appear in most migraine auras, but binocular blindness is uncommon. We described a case of multiple transient losses of vision in a man on a winter expedition to K2. His symptoms were later diagnosed as recurrent visual auras without pain. Sojourns [...] Read more.
Visual sensations appear in most migraine auras, but binocular blindness is uncommon. We described a case of multiple transient losses of vision in a man on a winter expedition to K2. His symptoms were later diagnosed as recurrent visual auras without pain. Sojourns at altitude can induce migraine attack; therefore, susceptible individuals should avoid factors that might provoke migraines at high altitude, such as improper acclimatization, dehydration and an inadequate sleep regime. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Extreme Environments)
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