Abstract Sample

Skiing improves scientific creativity and logic in scientists meeting at high altitude

Thomas Lutz, Nori Geary

Institute of High Level Studies, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Intellectual exchanges at higher altitudes have been demonstrated to produce more stimulating scientific ideas than discussion held at lower altitudes (i.e., Mann, The Magic Mountain, 1924). The mechanisms mediating this phenomenon and whether it translates into tangible outcomes, such as publications and grant awards, remain unclear. Therefore, here we sought to determine the role of low intensity aerobic exercise in this phenomenon. Therefore, we tested whether downhill skiing enhances the effect of high altitude on cognitive function.

Forty distinguished scientists were recruited to attend a scientific meeting in the Engadin (1800-3000 m). Ss were divided into two non-randomized groups, skiers and non-skiers. Groups were balanced for age (increasing), sex, aerobic capacity (good to very good), alcohol intake (very high indeed), and number of publications in the previous 5 y (could be better). Smokers and snowboarders were excluded. On d 1-4, all Ss engaged in 2.5 h scientific discussion twice a d, at 1800 m and participated in a daily 4-h excursion by cable car to 2400-3000 m. The skiing group then skied between 2400 and 3000 m. The non-skiing group divided their time equally between restaurants at 2400 and at 3000 m. In order to control intellectual activity, Ss were paired with hospitable local goat herders of the opposite sex. On d 5, all Ss wrote a 10-p grant application on a topic outside their own research interests. The scientific creativity of the application and the logic of the experimental design were evaluated blind by a special panel of the Swiss National Science Foundation on 5-point scales anchored at the top (1 = truly exceptional) and bottom (5 = indistinguishable from applications prepared by non-human primates).

Skiers' grant applications were rated significantly better than non-skiers in both creativity (1.7 0.7 vs. 3.5 0.8, mean SEM, t(38) = 5.38, P < 0.001) and logic (1.3 0.5 vs. 2.6 0.6 mean SEM, t(38) = 4.53, P < 0.001). No significant effects of sex or previous publication record were detected.

We conclude that skiing enhances the effect of high altitude on cognitive function in working scientists and facilitates their ability to obtain research funding. Further work to determine whether this would also occur with other forms of exercise or in other, less sunny and less spectacularly beautiful parts of the world is warranted, but won't be done by us.

Thomas Lutz
Institute of Veterinary Physiology
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 260
CH 8057 Zurich
Switzerland

tomlutz@vetphys.uzh.ch