Eligibility Details:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Men aged 18 - 39 years
- Born at altitudes less than 2,100 m (~7,000 feet; Examples include Santa Fe, New
Mexico; Laramie, Wyoming; Etc.)
- Physically active based on assessment of physical activity history (2-4 days per week
aerobic and/or resistance exercise)
- Have supervisor approval (permanent party military and civilians)
- Willing to refrain from alcohol, smokeless nicotine products and dietary supplement
use during study periods
- Refrain from taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g. aspirin,
Advil®, Aleve®, Naprosyn®, or any aspirin-containing product) for 10 days before and
at least 5 days AFTER each muscle biopsy. (*Tylenol® or acetaminophen is ok to use if
needed for discomfort)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Born at altitudes greater than 2,100 m (~7,000 feet; Examples include Santa Fe, New
Mexico; Laramie, Wyoming; Etc.)
- Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (~4,000 feet), or have traveled to areas
that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months (Examples
include Ft. Huachuca, Arizona; Lima, Peru; Feldberg, Germany, Etc.)
- Musculoskeletal injuries that compromise exercise capability
- Metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities (determined by resting ECG),
gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
etc.)
- Medication that affects macronutrient metabolism (i.e., diabetes medications, statins,
corticosteroids, etc) and/or the ability to participate in strenuous exercise
- Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders
- Prior diagnosis of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral
edema (HACE)
- Presence of asthma or respiratory tract infections (< 1 month prior)
- Allergies or intolerance to foods (including but not limited to lactose
intolerance/milk allergy), vegetarian practices, or medications (including, but not
limited to, lidocaine ) to be utilized in the study
- Smoking or vaping
- History of complications with lidocaine
- Taking medications that interfere with oxygen delivery and transport (Includes
sedatives, sleeping aids, tranquilizers and/or any medication that depresses
ventilation, diuretics, alpha and beta blockers)
- Evidence of any physical, mental, and/or medical conditions that would make the
proposed studies relatively more hazardous as determined by the Office of Medical
Support and Oversight
- Present condition of alcoholism, anabolic steroids, or other substance abuse issues
- Anemia (hematocrit <38% and hemoglobin <12.5 g/dL) and Sickle Cell Anemia/Trait
- Abnormal prothrombin time (PT)/ partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test or problems
with blood clotting
- Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study