As they walked on the treadmill the Sherpas wore wore heart monitors and breathed into a device that measures functions such as how much oxygen the body is using, how the body is using fuels such as fats and carbohydrates, and breaths per minute.

Doctors periodically measured their blood pressure and took blood lactate samples from their ears to test the level of muscular fatigue. The Sherpas' movement patterns were also tracked.

Other tests included leg strength and breath tests while they were stationary. They were also weighed and had their percentage of body fat measured.

Dr. Scott McIntosh will conduct testing on the Sherpas as they climb and serve as the control, undergoing the same testing as the Sherpas.

McIntosh explained there are two styles of exercise: slower, endurance-oriented, and faster, sprint movements.

"These guys use long, slow movement," he said. "We're just trying to discover their physiology, the unique features of their physiology. We can use those characteristics to develop our own athletes."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com