Personality traits as related to symptomatology and running performance at altitude under normal and drug (acetazoleamide) conditions

An individual-differences approach was brought to bear on data obtained from a large, multi-disciplinary field study of the effects of altitude on a number of variables, including running performance and illness symptomatology. Personality-related effects of altitude on both performance and symptoms were obtained under placebo and drug (Acetazoleamide) conditions. In addition, age and cigarette smoking were found to be positively related to decrements in running performance from sea level to altitude. The findings supplement certain of the conclusions and generalizations produced by a groupsoriented approach in that the results suggest that Acetazoleamide (1) may adversely affect running performance in some types of individuals, (2) does not appear to reduce illness in some types of individuals, and (3) that Ss for whom the drug appears to be effective in reducing the symptoms of illness appear to be among those in whom the drug induces a performance decrement.