Effects of acute moderate hypoxia on human performance of arithmetic.

To observe the effects of acute moderate hypoxia on human performance of arithmetic, the continuous calculation test, addition-subtraction test and mental arithmetic tests were made in 16 health young male subjects during exposure to altitude of 300 m (control), 3600 m, 4400 m and 5000 m by mean of hypobaric cabin simulation. Error rate of the continuous calculation test and reaction time of addition-subtraction test increased significantly and performance decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after exposure to 3600 m for 1 h. Reaction time, total number and performance of all tests decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during exposure to 4400 m. Performance of all tests decreased (P < 0.01) after exposure to 5000 m for 30 min.