Effect of developmental and ancestral high altitude exposure on chest morphology and pulmonary function in Andean and European/North American natives

People born and raised at high altitudes (HA) develop larger chests and greater lung capacity than those born and raised at low altitudes. This was the conclusion of a study of 170 men in Bolivia. Some were born and raised at one altitude, some migrated from one to the other, and some had ancestors who lived at another altitude. The study showed that both genetic factors and exposure to HA during development resulted in greater lung capacity and larger chests.