Our moderate altitude (MAHE) study will be back this year and we are looking for participants!

If you are curious to learn how your body would respond to a month-long stay at 2,300m above sea level, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

🏔️ WHEN? The study period is from mid-August to early October and includes: ⭐ 1 week at low altitude (Silandro/Schlanders) for baseline measurements. ⭐ 4 consecutive weeks at the moderate altitude location (Rifugio Nino Corsi/Zufallhütte). ⭐ Three follow-up lab visits in Bolzano in the week after returning from moderate altitude.

NOTE: Starting days are staggered, meaning that participants will not all begin on the same day.

🔍 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible, participants must be 18–40 years old, have a normal body weight (BMI 18.4–24.9 kg/m²), and meet the following additional exclusion criteria: 🚫 Regular endurance training (more than twice/weekly) 🚫 Smoking 🚫 Alcohol or drug abuse 🚫 Hypertension 🚫 Chronic medication (except hormonal contraceptives) 🚫 Regular stays or an overnight stay at altitudes >1,500m within the last four weeks before the study 🚫 Adherence to special diets 🚫 Food allergies and/or intolerances 🚫 Eating disorders 🚫 Pregnancy 🚫 Diagnosed iron deficiency

🧪 MEASUREMENTS Throughout the study (before, during and after the altitude stay) we will assess several physiological outcomes, including: muscle sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, sleep, body composition, metabolism and appetite, hemoglobin mass and endurance performance.

🌿🛜 DAILY LIFE DURING THE STUDY Outside of scheduled measurements, participants are free to spend their time as they wish (e.g., working remotely, studying or enjoying the outdoors). To support the study aims, participants will be asked not to exceed their habitual physical activity levels and avoid changing altitude during the study period.

🍎 A reimbursement of 400 EUR (gross) will be paid to compensate subjects for the time investment. Additionally, accommodation and all foods will be provided throughout the 5-week study period.

✅ The study is funded by the Joint Projects program of the Swiss National Foundation (SNF) and the Province of South Tyrol and has been approved by the ethics committee of the Bolzano Hospital (25-2025).

📬 INTERESTED? Please contact Birna Vardardottir via email: mahe@eurac.edu

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