Omatta

Elementary Introduction into Altitude Training

Avid hikers, climbers, and backpackers are likely familiar with the shortness of breath that comes when sending and spending time in the mountains. Some may associate this with being out of shape or the steepness of the trail but there is an underlying reason for this struggle. As one goes up the mountain and increases their altitude, the less oxygen is available in the air. This means your lungs are working harder than normal just to keep up. Hemoglobin, a molecule in your blood that transports oxygen around the body and as you get higher into the mountains there is less oxygen to carry. The human body can make short term adaptations but ultimately performance begins to drop.

Heart rate, blood pressure, hydration, and respiration all change in the mountains as your body tries to make changes for the current situation, and unless you live in the mountains this issue will continue to arise each time you go for the summit. However, if you spend enough time or frequently are exposed to this struggle your body begins to adapt to change those issues into longer-term benefits.

The human body adapts to the stresses put upon it in order to survive. If you struggle to get and transport oxygen the body will create more workers to get the job done. The lungs start to open up and more red blood cells are created to carry precious O2 throughout your body and the working muscles. This not only makes time in the mountains easier but also improves sea-level performance. Many Olympians and endurance athletes spend time training at high elevation for this reason. As they struggle in the mountains their ground game becomes better thanks to the changes that have occurred.

However, not everyone is able to move to the mountains and spend their whole time training. In recent years “altitude masks” have grown in popularity to simulate the effects of training at high elevation however the effects aren’t always the same. The masks simply restrict breathing but the same amount of oxygen is present in each breath. A better method may be using a Live O2 Contrast System, but at $4000 it is feasible to have at home. Luckily, at OMATTA we have two systems and can use them for a variety of activities in order to spark the changes and increase your performance.

You track other indications of human health and performance. Why not cognitive? During our shelter at home orders, I thought it might be beneficial for people to get this done. If you'd like me to send you a test, please contact me here or via our website. I will send you the results as soon as I can. https://www.omatta.com/contact.

Information about the cognitive test can be found at
https://www.cambridgebrainsciences.com/products/cbs-health-cognitive-assessment-platform-for-healthcare-practitioners

Considering also how I can set up other tests that you could do at home. It is important to establish objective data of cognitive status, balance, motor coordination, gait, range of motion, balance test and maybe a functional assessment. All of this is imperative for all athletes and anybody who has sustained a head injury and is still suffering.

Contact Us | OMATTA Please call OMATTA at the number below or complete the online form listed here on this page. Come learn more about OMATTA, located near Seattle in Issaquah, WA.

Brain NW Anybody who wants a FREE Cognitive Test, like the OMATTA page. It is a 12 test cognitive test that you can do from the comfort of your home. You will need to fill out the health history form so that I can create a file for you. Track your cognitive status, just like you track your blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol. Find the form at https://www.omatta.com/health-history-form.

Health History Form | Brain Health Recovery | OMATTA Brain NW requests that you complete this online form prior to coming in for your first visit so that the doctors have a complete history of your brain health before you come in. Come learn more about Brain NW, located near Seattle in Issaquah, WA.