Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-40 years * In good health as determined by the Office of Medical Support \& Oversight (OMSO) General Medical Clearance * Runs at least 3 times per week and able to complete a two mile run in ≤ 21 minutes (Civilian Volunteers) or passed his/her most recent Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) (Military Volunteers Only) * Willing to not exercise, or drink alcoholic and/or caffeinated beverages 24 hours prior to each testing session or the acute altitude exposure to 3,000 m * Abstain from alcoholic beverages during the 15 day residence at the summit of Pikes Peak * Abstain from drinking alcohol or caffeine at least 24 hours before a testing session during Phases 1 and 3 * Willing to stay and exercise in an altitude chamber (the size of a dorm room) for \~2.5 hours * Wiling to reside at the summit of Pikes Peak (4,300 m altitude) and share dormitory area (bunk area, shower, and bathroom), potentially with people of the opposite sex for 15 days * Up to date on COVID-19 vaccination Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study * Taking prescription medication, or over-the-counter medications other than contraceptives, unless approved by OMSO \& PI * Born at altitudes greater than 2,100 m (7,000 ft) * Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (4,000 ft) or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months * Prior diagnosis of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) * Musculoskeletal injuries that compromise the ability to walk/run on a treadmill or hike steep terrain * Abnormal blood count in accordance with OMSO - Normal Hb men: 12.6-17.7 g·dL-1 and women: 11.1-15.9 g·dL-1 or Normal Hct men: 37.5-48% and women: 34.0-45%, or presence of abnormal blood chemicals (hemoglobin S or Sickle Cell Trait) * Any history of malignancy * Personal or family history of blood clots * Abnormal prothrombin time/partial thromboplastin time (PT/PTT) test or problems with blood clotting * History of thromboembolic disease, hypertension, and known risk factors of cardiovascular disease * Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study * History of seizures * History of inflammatory bowel disease * Any recent (within 4-6 weeks) and or expected history of prolonged periods of immobility or limited activity (including recent or upcoming surgery) * No evidence of iron deficiency (ferritin \< 45 ng/ml) * Smokers or tobacco/nicotine (unless quit \> 1 month prior to study orientation) * History of asthma * Experience recent (\< 1 month of starting the study) cold, coughs, or respiratory tract infections * Allergy to skin adhesive * Known allergy to sulfa drugs * Evidence of apnea or sleeping disorder * Present condition of alcoholism, use of anabolic steroids, other substance abuse issues * Inability to tolerate iron supplement