Tibetan high landers' physiques, physical abilities and physiological functions: Comparison between high-altitude and mid-altitude Tibetan groups

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to compare two different high altitudes Tibetan group’s phy- siques, physical strengths and physiological functions. In total 199 Tibetan subjects, 101 subjects （48 males and 53 females） from a 1800 meter highlands （mid－altitude group） and 98 subjects （48 males and 50 females） from a 4000 meter highlands （high alti- tude group）were examined morphological and physiological characteristics such as height, weight, vital capacity, blood pressure, grip strength and two step exercise test. Subjects for the analyses were extracted from the total subjects by matching the age and sex between the two groups, 53 subjects respectively. Compared to the mid－altitude group, the high altitude group had a smaller body size, lower physical abilities except for endurance performance, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lower vital capacity. The results of vital capacity were different from that of previous researches. Although the blood pressure was remarkably low in high altitude group, it is difficult to attribute the cause only to the difference of altitude, because besides the altitude some differences such as occupa- tions and eating habits existed between the comparison groups.