Generating a tool to estimate the risk of acute mountain sickness in UK and Ireland-based altitude travellers

Research Group:

Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences

Proposed supervisory team:

Dr Ash Willmott

Dr Neil Maxwell (University of Brighton)

Theme:

Integrative Strategies for Functional Health & Performance

Summary of the research project:

Each year millions of people visit areas of altitude across the globe for tourism, sporting and/or occupational reasons. However, the UK and Ireland-based 'Altitude Traveller', defined as those planning on visiting altitude for tourism, challenges or athletic events but have no prior experience, require educational and evidence-based preparation strategies, in an attempt to estimate and lessen the risks associated with altitude-related illnesses.

This is important as recent evidence suggests large populations visiting altitude are potentially naïve to the dangers of hypoxia and may lack the awareness of the signs/symptoms of altitude illnesses. Of which, acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common, yet less severe form of altitude-related illnesses and occurs in areas of altitude around +2500m. However, if AMS is undetected or untreated, it can lead to more life-threatening illnesses, such as high-altitude pulmonary/cerebral edema. As such, Altitude Travellers should possess a minimum level of altitude knowledge prior to their departure and may benefit from the generation of new tools to estimate the risk of AMS and informed altitude awareness via educational strategies.

To date, it is extremely difficult to predict an individuals’ susceptibility to AMS prior to their departure to altitude. Whilst preparing for altitude exposure, many predictive tests / methods have been investigated and may offer some benefit, but it is essential these practices are combined with a range of tools to estimate and educate the Altitude Traveller on the risks of AMS. Furthermore, aside of preparation strategies, experimental research is required to investigate the use and efficacy of 'in field' technology to support Altitude Travellers during their activities and highlight potential risks or provide feedback/education in 'real time', such as using wearable devices and mobile phone applications.

Therefore, this PhD project will examine/evaluate current AMS prediction methods, develop an evidence-informed preparation strategy and generate a tool to effectively estimate the risk of AMS, and then investigate the use/efficacy of wearable technology and altitude-specific mobile phone applications in field conditions. This PhD project will therefore attempt to improve altitude awareness, estimate and lessen the risks associated with altitude-related illnesses and enhance Altitude Travellers pre-planned outcome measures (e.g. a safe, enjoyable challenge and summit success).

This project will closely align with the vision and mission of the UK Altitude Awareness Charity, Para-Monte. Of which, includes raising awareness about altitude illness, disseminating/translating knowledge to the public and undertaking scientific evidence-based research. As such, the PhD candidate will gain valuable experience and applied skills across academic, research and charitable/industry organisation. The project will also be in collaboration with the Environmental Extremes Laboratory (EEL) at the University of Brighton.

Where you’ll study:

Cambridge

Funding:

This project is self-funded. You may be eligible for doctoral funding through government funding scheme. 

Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.

Next steps:

If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Sport and Exercise Sciences MPhil, PhD. In the section of the application form entitled ’Outline research proposal’, please quote the above title and include a research proposal. Please contact Dr Ash Willmott (ash.willmott@aru.ac.uk) for further enquiries and to discuss the PhD project in more detail.