Evaluating Changes in Balance at High Altitudes

Background: Due to hypoxia and hypobaric conditions at high altitudes, oxygen saturation decreases. Ataxia might occur and the ability to maintain balance is challenged.

Objectives: To determine whether a novel balance assessment test, the Zur Balance Scale (ZBS), is reliable for detecting changes in balance at high altitudes.

Methods: Seven healthy men, 30-64 years of age, volunteered to participate. During a 14-day journey to Mt. Everest Base Camp, Nepal, balance was evaluated with the ZBS and the Single Leg Balance Test. Physiological tests included PO₂ saturation (%), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (mmHg) and heart rate (pulse/min). Data were collected at altitudes of 0 m, 2,610 m, 3,300 m, 4,400 m and 4,950 m above sea level.

Results: The ZBS scores decreased significantly (P<0.001) as altitude increased. For the Single Leg Balance Test, only balance with eyes closed decreased as altitude increased (P<0.037). Heart rate increased with increasing altitude, while systolic, diastolic BP and PO₂ saturation decreased (P<0.02).

Conclusions: Poor balance control can contribute to risk of falls that might result in injury or death, especially from high places. Balance control decreases at increasing altitudes. The ZBS is portable and easy to administer. It is a suitable test for measuring balance function in normal and high altitudes.