A 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition did not significantly increase state anxiety in graduate students, with STAI-Y1 decreasing non-significantly from 46.5 to 43.9 (p=0.603).
Does a 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition alter state anxiety in graduate students, and how is it associated with acute mountain sickness, oxygen saturation, and perceived exertion?
Short-term high-altitude mountaineering imposed considerable physiological strain and induced AMS symptoms in graduate students, but overall state anxiety did not increase significantly, with post-climb anxiety strongly associated with pre-climb anxiety and perceived exertion.
Effect estimate: mean difference -2.6 points
Absolute Event Rate: 43.9% vs 46.5%
p-value: p=0.603
Background In recent years, as participation in high-altitude mountaineering has expanded, high-altitude climbing has increasingly become a challenging form of practical activity among university students, particularly among graduate students who experience high levels of academic and research-related stress. However, the physiological and psychological responses of this population in high-altitude environments remain insufficiently examined by systematic empirical research. Objective This study examined changes in state anxiety (STAI-Y1) before and after a 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition at 2,726–5,396 m and analyzed its relationships with acute mountain sickness (AMS), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in graduate students. Additionally, it aimed to provide empirical evidence to help identify high-risk individuals and improve pre-ascent preparation and psychological support in high-altitude mountaineering. Methods A total of 15 graduate students were recruited for a 3-day mountaineering expedition. The STAI-Y1 was administered before and after the climb. During the ascent, SpO₂ was measured using a portable finger pulse oximeter, AMS was assessed using the Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness Score (LLS), and subjective fatigue was recorded via the Borg 6–20 RPE scale. Data on AMS and summit success were documented throughout the journey. Paired t-tests, between-group comparisons, and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze post-climb STAI-Y1 scores. Results Following the climb, LLS scores increased from 0 to 5.7, SpO₂ decreased from 94 to 88%, and RPE rose from 6 to 19 ( p 0.001). In contrast, STAI-Y1 scores showed a non-significant decrease from 46.5 ± 12.9 to 43.9 ± 14.1 ( p = 0.603). STAI-Y1 scores were higher in the AMS group and in non-summiters than in their respective comparison groups ( p 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that pre-climb STAI-Y1 ( β = 0.916) and the change in RPE (ΔRPE; B = 2.798) were significantly positively associated with post-climb STAI-Y1, whereas the change in SpO₂ (ΔSpO₂) was not significant. Conclusion Short-term high-altitude mountaineering imposed considerable physiological strain and induced AMS symptoms, yet overall state anxiety did not increase significantly. Increases in RPE were also significantly associated with changes in state anxiety, whereas changes in SpO₂ had only a limited impact on state anxiety.
Sang et al. (2026) studied Graduate students without prior altitude-related illnesses undertaking a 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition at 2,726–5,396 m (n=15). 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition vs. Pre-climb baseline was evaluated on Change in state anxiety (STAI-Y1) before and after climb (mean difference -2.6 points, p=0.603). A 3-day high-altitude mountaineering expedition did not significantly increase state anxiety in graduate students, with STAI-Y1 decreasing non-significantly from 46.5 to 43.9 (p=0.603).