MOUNTAIN AND HYPOXIA AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL FOR OLDER POPULATIONS: INNOVATIVE HEALTH DEVELOPMENTS AND MECHANISTIC APPROACH TO LESSER NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE

While hypoxic/altitude training has historically been used with athletes for performance improvement, recent evidence suggests that exercising in hypoxia might also be a valuable and viable “therapeutic strategy” in non-athletes. The purpose of this research and related PhD program is to conduct a clinical validation of hypoxic conditioning as an innovative strategy for management of aged-induced increased neuromuscular and perceived fatigability, autonomy loss and diminished quality of life in elderly, improving outcomes beyond what is obtained today.

Aims:
1) To identify the amount and nature of neuromuscular fatigue and hypoxia-induced physiological stress associated with hypoxic conditioning supposed to induce long term beneficial adaptations that minimize joint loading and musculoskeletal discomfort/pain.
2) To identify and evaluate the optimal hypoxic conditioning strategies in elderly, investigating some of the biological mechanisms underpinning hypoxia-induced improvements in neuromuscular, cardiovascular and cognitive health and physical fitness.