The aim of this randomized, double-blind study is to determine whether erythropoietin
(Procrit) and acetazolamide: 1) mitigates altitude-induced decrements in performance at
moderate altitude (3,000 m) and 2) mitigates altitude-induced decrements in performance and
reduce acute mountain sickness during prolonged exposure to high altitude (4,300 m; 15 days).
Volunteers will complete 5 study phases: Phase 1) sea level baseline testing and a moderate
altitude exposure; Phase 2) 4 week study intervention - randomly assigned to receive
erythropoietin or placebo); Phase 3) 3 1/2 days of acetazolamide and a moderate altitude
exposure; Phase 4) high altitude acclimatization - 15 days at Pikes Peak; and Phase 5) two
week deacclimatization. Test battery include VO2peak, 3.2 km treadmill time trial, measures
of gas exchange and ventilation during rest and exercise, and blood collection.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine