Five Insights from Wearable Technology about the Impact of High Altitude on the Body
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s driven by a deep understanding of real-world challenges. The rapid advancement of wearable technology shows how crucial it is for scientific research and market insight to work hand in hand. Scientific studies help us uncover how the body responds in extreme conditions, while market research ensures we stay aligned with what users actually need. When these two forces collaborate, we can move faster from discovery to design—creating products that not only push the boundaries of technology but also solve real problems for real people, whether it’s helping climbers sleep better at altitude or alerting a skier to early signs of distress.
This is particularly evident in extreme environments. For the sake of this article, we will take a closer look at high-altitude conditions, where research has shown how oxygen deprivation affects sleep, breathing, decision-making, and overall health. Wearables have evolved rapidly to track those changes—from basic fitness tracking to medical-grade monitoring devices that bridge the gap between recreational sports, critical care, and even space travel.
Let’s explore the challenges of bridging this gap in high-altitude environments and discuss the real-world implications for physical and cognitive functioning.
1. Wearables find that Oxygen Deprivation at high altitudes Disrupts Sleep
At extreme altitudes, the body struggles to absorb oxygen, leading to periodic breathing patterns (apneas) and frequent nighttime awakenings. Studies completed a few years ago by Nussbaumer-Ochsner et al. (2011, 2012) using actigraphy and polysomnography confirmed already that mountaineers experience severely fragmented sleep, reducing their ability to recover and perform optimally [1,2].
This is where wearables come in. Wearable devices such as Garmin Fenix3, WHOOP4, and Oura5 now include SpO₂ monitoring, heart rate variability (HRV) tracking, and sleep stage analysis. These tools could help climbers assess their oxygen saturation trends overnight, potentially enabling them to recognise early signs of altitude-related disturbances and adjust their rest and ascent strategies accordingly.
However, a limitation of current SpO₂ tracking in wearables is that cold temperatures, poor circulation, and motion artifacts can impact accuracy [6]. Future advancements in multi-sensor tracking and sleep diagnostics could provide more reliable, real-time insights on how altitude affects the body.
2. High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Risk—Early Detection Saves Lives
Some individuals are more susceptible to HAPE. HAPE is a potentially fatal condition where fluid builds up in the lungs due to prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels. Research has shown that these individuals exhibit unstable nighttime breathing patterns and rapid oxygen desaturation, which could serve as an early warning sign, sometimes without obvious symptoms during the day [2].
Currently, wearables like Masimo MightySat7 and medical-grade pulse oximeters can track oxygen saturation and respiration rate, but they do not yet have predictive capabilities to detect early signs of HAPE. Future wearables could leverage technology-powered risk analysis, identifying patterns in breathing and oxygen levels to provide early warnings before symptoms escalate.
This is another example of a gap where MedTech can focus on blending two worlds: integrating predictive analytics with existing SpO₂ sensors to create real-time alerts for mountaineers, skiers, or even emergency responders. Wearables equipped with precise SpO₂ sensors and respiratory rate tracking could alert to subtle signs of distress before symptoms become life-threatening. This bridges the gap between scientific understanding and real-world safety solutions.
3. Sleep Deprivation from High Altitudes Leads to Poor Decision-Making
Poor sleep doesn’t just make you groggy—it directly impacts cognitive function. A 2022 study on cognitive performance at altitude found that reaction times slowed by up to 25% after just one night of fragmented sleep at 4,000 meters [8].
For extreme athletes and mountaineers, this can be life-threatening. Poor sleep affects judgment, motor coordination, and risk assessment, all of which are critical for navigating unpredictable environments.
Wearables are evolving to go beyond simple sleep tracking. Devices like WHOOP and Oura now correlate sleep quality with cognitive performance metrics, helping athletes recognise when they are mentally fatigued and need additional recovery time before making high-risk decisions [4,5].
With continuous research, wearable companies can refine their algorithms, making insights more personalised and actionable. The result? Faster iterations, better technology, and products that genuinely support human health and performance.
4. Acclimatisation Takes Time—Personalised Monitoring Enhances Adaptation
While acclimatisation helps the body adjust, it doesn’t eliminate oxygen deprivation or sleep disturbances [1]. Research shows that while some individuals adapt faster than others, there is no universal timeline for full adaptation.
Wearables that track oxygen saturation trends, HRV, and respiratory rate over multiple days can provide a more personalised view of altitude adaptation. However, there is no current comprehensive “acclimatisation index”.
Future devices could integrate:
- Acclimatisation coaching, offering real-time recommendations on when to rest, hydrate, or descend.
- Multi-sensor analysis, combining SpO₂, heart rate, hydration status, and exertion levels for a complete picture of altitude adaptation.
- Predictive modelling to help mountaineers and endurance athletes strategically plan their ascent schedules.
This is just an example of an exciting opportunity for MedTech companies to pioneer more advanced tracking systems through a thorough understanding of human physiology as well as drivers and barriers of users.
5. From the Extremes to the Everyday: How Wearables Evolve with Real-World Insight
Many of the wearable technologies used in extreme sports actually originated in healthcare before being adapted for recreational use:
- Pulse oximeters were initially designed for hospital use before being miniaturised for personal health tracking.
- HRV tracking was first applied in cardiology research before becoming a key metric in endurance sports.
- Sleep monitoring technology was pioneered in clinical sleep labs before integrating into consumer wearables like Oura and WHOOP.
However, we are now seeing the reverse trend—outdoor and sports wearables influencing medical technology. The same sensors used by climbers and skiers are being tested for remote patient monitoring, early detection of respiratory distress, and even space travel applications. Usage can be tested in a non-clinical and less regulated environment. And for many of the applications it is true, that the more data collected from real-world users, the more refined and impactful these devices become.
Some of the world’s most widely used innovations didn’t start in the mainstream—they were born out of necessity in the most extreme environments. Velcro was invented for space missions. Duct tape was developed to seal ammunition cases during WWII. GPS? First used by the military. And yet, all of these now have a place in daily life. Wearable technologies are following a similar trajectory.
In the case of high-altitude wearables, what begins as performance monitoring for elite athletes or mountaineers often finds new purpose in broader health applications. We’re witnessing a two-way flow: many of these tools were originally developed in healthcare and adapted for sports and adventure. But now, we’re seeing the reverse—sports-focused wearables are influencing medical technology, shaping how we think about continuous monitoring, early detection, and preventative care.
Real-world environments like mountains, ski slopes, or long-distance trail routes serve as lower risk and high-relevance testbeds. These are non-clinical but controlled enough to collect rich physiological data—on breathing, heart rate, sleep, hydration, and altitude adaptation. This kind of data collection is gold for refining products and understanding how people interact with them under physical and cognitive stress. It also provides early insight into how technologies might be used by broader populations, whether in managing chronic conditions or enhancing everyday wellness.
This cycle—from niche to norm—is only successful when market research steps in to understand user motivations, frustrations, and expectations. Market research reveals the real-world problems people are trying to solve: How can I get better sleep? Why do I feel exhausted after training? Could this fatigue mean something more serious? These questions fuel design iteration and commercialisation pathways.
A few examples that illustrate this crossover include:
- Pulse oximeters, originally designed for hospital use, are now miniaturized for personal health tracking and built into smartwatches [7].
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) tracking, once reserved for cardiology research, is now a key metric in wearables like WHOOP, helping users monitor stress and recovery [4].
- Sleep monitoring began in specialized sleep labs but has evolved into apps and devices like Oura, used daily by millions to understand their rest cycles [5].
- And on the frontier: sports-derived wearables are being piloted for remote patient monitoring, early detection of respiratory events, and even applications in space medicine.
The more data these devices collect from a variety of contexts—from the Himalayas to suburban homes—the more refined and impactful they become. They don’t just adapt to the user; they learn from them.
Final Thought: Science + Market Research = Innovation
Scientific research and market research go hand-in-hand, forming the foundation for innovation and success in wearable technology. While scientific studies provide essential knowledge, real-world user insights ensure products are practical, effective, and continuously improving. Whether for mountaineers, endurance athletes, or medical professionals, the next breakthrough in wearable tech won’t just come from the lab—it will emerge from the environments where these devices prove their real-world value, from emergency rooms to space exploration missions.
At the same time, effective market research aligns customer needs with business objectives, guiding the development of optimised solutions. As customer behaviours constantly evolve, companies must strategically introduce new products and services while supporting behavioural transitions. A customer-centric approach is critical—by truly listening to the voices that matter, businesses can uncover pain points, understand decision-making drivers, and craft messages that influence behaviour. This ensures engagement strategies resonate with target customers’ thoughts, emotions, and actions, ultimately creating a positioning strategy that strengthens the relationship between brands and consumers. In a world where the line between recreation and critical care is blurred, the next big innovation in wearable technology will come not only from research labs but also from the way businesses understand and connect with their users.
- Nussbaumer-Ochsner Y, Schuepfer N, Siebenmann C, Maggiorini M, Bloch KE. High altitude sleep disturbances monitored by actigraphy and polysomnography. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2011;12(3):229-236.
- Nussbaumer-Ochsner Y, Schuepfer N, Ursprung J, Siebenmann C, Maggiorini M, Bloch KE. Sleep and breathing in high altitude pulmonary edema susceptible subjects at 4,559 meters. Sleep. 2012;35(10):1413-1421.
- Garmin Fenix. Available at: https://www.garmin.com
- WHOOP. Available at: https://www.whoop.com
- Oura Ring. Available at: https://ouraring.com
- Accuracy of SpO₂ measurement in wearables. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2021;96(7):1890-1901.
- Masimo MightySat. Available at: https://www.masimo.com
- Cognitive effects of high-altitude sleep deprivation. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2022;132(4):900-910.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) in endurance sports. Sports Medicine Journal. 2019;49(12):1715-1732.