What occurs to breathing rate and depth as a person gradually ascends in altitude?

As a person ascends in altitude, the atmospheric pressure decreases, which leads to a lower availability of oxygen in the air. To compensate for the reduced oxygen levels, the body responds by increasing both the breathing rate and the depth of each breath. This physiological adjustment is a critical adaptive response intended to enhance oxygen uptake in the lungs and ensure that sufficient oxygen is delivered to the tissues and organs despite the thinner air.

The increase in breathing rate and depth reflects the body’s need to maintain adequate oxygen saturation in the blood. This phenomenon, known as hyperventilation, helps to maximize the amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream while simultaneously expelling carbon dioxide. Over time, as a person acclimatizes to higher altitudes, additional physiological adjustments may occur, such as increased production of red blood cells, but the immediate response to ascending into higher altitudes is characterized by this increase in respiratory activity.