Effects of High Terrestrial Altitude on Military Performance

Abstract

Abstract : Physical Characteristics: At high altitude, several adverse physical characteristics make coping, functioning, and survival very difficult: hypoxia, cold, wind, dryness, solar radiation, and ultraviolet radiation. The proportion of oxygen in the air is constant at 20.93%, even at altitudes up to 100,000 m. The decreased atmospheric pressure at thigh altitudes results in a proportional reduction of the partial pressure of oxygen (Po2). This lessens the amount of oxygen carried on the blood. The barometric pressures of two regions at the same elevation may differ, since atmospheric pressure also depends on latitude, thickness of the earth's crust, and weather. The relationship between altitude and atmospheric pressure is described in table which include adjustment factors for specific location conditions. High altitude; Physiology.