What happens to the human body if you live above 2,000 meters above sea level for a month? A simple question, which is the basis of the Mahe (Moderate altitude healthy exposure) project, which will take place at the Nino Corsi refuge, in Val Martello, within the Stelvio National Park, at 2,265 meters above sea level. Candidates will be able to stay for one month, including room and board, with a reimbursement of 400 euros gross. Let’s see in detail everything you need to know and what the requirements are to apply.
The Mahe project
Around the world, around 200 million people live at altitudes above 2,000 meters and many others frequent them for tourism and leisure. The studies conducted up to now have always focused on extreme peaks, with high altitudes even above 3-4 thousand metres, leaving a “gap” in medical research. A void that Eurac Research, a private research center based in Bolzano, aims to fill with this study. The objective was to investigate various physiological effects of a four-week stay in a mountain refuge at 2,300 m on healthy individuals. The stay will be preceded by a week at a lower altitude. A series of measurements will also be carried out in the week following exposure.
Requirements and exclusion criteria
As specified on the Eurac website, men and women aged between 18 and 40 with normal body weight will be able to participate in the project. The exclusion criteria will be the following:
- Resistance training done regularly (more than twice a week),
- Smoke,
- Drug or alcohol abuse,
- High blood pressure,
- Chronic use of medications,
- Regular or extended stays > 1,500 m in the last four weeks before the study,
- Special diet (e.g. vegan),
- Food allergies or intolerances,
- Eating disorders,
- Pregnancy,
- Diagnosed iron deficiency.
When and where
The study will take place between August and September 2026. The stay at low altitude will be in Silandro, in the autonomous province of Bolzano, while the period above 2 thousand meters will take place in the Nino Corsi refuge. Finally, screening and subsequent measurements will be carried out at the Eurac Research headquarters in Bolzano.
Expense reimbursement
As specified in the announcement, the experience includes free room and board, with meals provided for the entire duration of the study. Not only that, participants will also receive a gross expense reimbursement of 400 euros. Anyone interested can contact Birna Vardardottir by sending an email to: [email protected].