Holidays in Tyrol - exercise above 1.200 m

That exercise in the fresh air is healthy appears to all of us to be a truism. Furthermore, we have all heard that mountain air has a positive effect on the human organism. The fact that the two together must be especially advantageous is plain to see. It was scientifically proved by the AMAS – 2000 – Altitude Study (Austrian Moderate Altitude Study) carried out at Arlberg.

Every year many mountain enthusiasts are drawn to our Sport hotel in Tyrol. For winter sports just as for mountain climbing and hiking.

With the comprehensive study under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. Egon Humpeler, the connections between mountain hiking and health have now been established.

Numerous "guinea pigs" aged between 39 and 65 spent holidays in the mountains walking at heights of 1400 to 2000 metres. The extensive medical examinations then produced the proof that mountain hiking :

• contributes to the efficient working of the heart and circulation (the use of drugs for blood pressure could, in certain cases, be decreased or completely abandoned).
• improves the situation as regards blood sugar and fat deposits in the blood.
• leads to weight loss
• brings about positive neuro-psychological effects: thus it became repeatedly clear that attitudes towards life become more positive, the quality and length of sleep increase and negative states of mind decrease.
• leads to an increase in new, red blood cells. These are better able to transport oxygen: the risk of thrombosis is reduced.

The secret of the recuperative benefits of walking in the mountains, and thus on balance, the conclusion of the study, lies in the mobilisation and efficient use of one’s strength. First of all, according to Prof. Humpeler, the organism revs up really hard, in order to get to peak performance. Then, however, at the end of a stay in the mountains, it settles down with a lower rate of revs, and at the same time still produces equal or even higher performance.

The magic lies in mountain hiking. Mountain hiking already has lots of fans and there will be many more to come.