Reporters learned from the Plateau Medicine Research Center at Tibet University on the 1st that a new study shows that B blood type is the most common and O blood type the least among Tibetan mountaineers. This finding will provide a selection indicator and theoretical basis for future recruitment of mountaineers in Tibet.
Bai Sangzhuoma, an expert in plateau medicine research at Tibet University and associate professor at its Medical College, introduced that starting in 2012, researchers in Tibet chose mountaineers as a special group to investigate their blood type distribution characteristics. They also analyzed the relationship between blood types and certain phenotypic traits related to low-oxygen exercise—such as heart function, lung function, blood oxygen saturation, red blood cells, and hemoglobin—to explore the connection between human blood types and low-oxygen exercise performance.
After collecting and analyzing blood samples from 115 Tibetan mountaineers, the research team ultimately produced the academic report “The Relationship Between ABO Blood Type Distribution Characteristics and Cardiopulmonary Function in Tibetan Mountaineers.” The report points out that the overall blood type distribution among Tibetan mountaineers is B > AB > A > O, which differs from the general Tibetan population’s distribution of O > B > A > AB.
Bai Sangzhuoma said, “This research result will provide a reference indicator and theoretical basis for the selection of Tibetan mountaineers, and also offers an opportunity to further conduct in-depth studies on the genetic genes and athletic abilities of specialized athletes, as well as research on the scientific selection of Tibetan athletes, genetic quality, and the interaction mechanism with the plateau environment.”
According to reports, international research has long confirmed that human athletic ability is influenced by many genetic factors and exhibits significant individual differences. Blood type is an important genetic indicator and also one of the key criteria for scientific athlete selection.