Three faculty members from UNC Orthopaedics are preparing for a unique journey that blends adventure with scientific discovery. Drs. David Berkoff, Anthony Garzone, and Greg Summerville will soon travel to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania as part of a research effort examining how sleep quality impacts performance at high altitude.
High-altitude environments place significant stress on the body, and many people experience some form of altitude illness when climbing to extreme elevations. One common physiological response is periodic breathing during sleep, similar to sleep apnea, which can disrupt rest and potentially affect how well individuals adapt to altitude. The team hopes to better understand whether sleep quality plays a key role in determining who tolerates altitude well and who develops symptoms of altitude sickness.
During the expedition, the researchers will collect daily surveys from participants evaluating sleep quality, mental acuity, and physical function. In addition, they will gather continuous nighttime biometric data, including heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and continuous glucose monitoring. By pairing these objective measurements with participants’ self-reported experiences, the team aims to identify patterns between physiological stress during sleep and overall performance at altitude.
The findings could help improve our understanding of how the body adapts to extreme environments and may inform strategies for athletes, climbers, and others who travel to high elevations. As the team prepares to begin their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, their work highlights UNC Orthopaedics’ commitment not only to exceptional patient care but also to advancing research that explores human performance in challenging conditions.