K2 conditions in Pontypridd

Levels of oxygen available to Rob Matthews will be lowered

Exercising in a metal chamber with low levels of oxygen sounds like a hard task, but a man who is to trek up Africa's highest peak is planning to do it three times a week for a month.

Rob Matthews, 45, is preparing his body to walk to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro - on Tanzania's northern border with Kenya - which is 19,340 feet (5895 metres) above sea level.

Oxygen levels are significantly reduced at high levels and for his body to cope with the challenge, acclimatisation is vital.

So an exercise regime in a special chamber at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd, where experts are able to lower the amount of oxygen has been devised.

It is the first time the chamber has been used like this and it's hoped that by training in an environment where oxygen levels can match those on Kilimanjaro, Rob will be better prepared for the charity challenge.

"I have been doing a lot of training for the trip," said Rob, the university's hospitality manager.

"But the one thing I know I will need to overcome is the high altitude.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa

"It is the biggest hurdle I have to face.

He explained he was using the chamber to train in and in return he was becoming a 'research project' for the university.

He is to start the vigorous training in the about three weeks after undergoing rigorous diagnostic tests by Professor Bruce Davies to ensure his safety.

In the chamber, he will exercise on a treadmill, while the amount of oxygen he can breath will be decreased during the sessions.

Nitrogen will be pumped in to the chamber, which displaces the oxygen and over time, it will be reduced to about 11% - about half of what levels usually are at sea level.

"Hopefully it will give me a bit of an advantage because I will know what it is like to train in an environment with low levels of oxygen," said Rob.

"I just hope I make it to the top," he added.

Nitrogen is pumped into the chamber to displace the oxygen

Professor Davies, who is monitoring the experiment, said: "He needs to prepare himself for the low oxygen levels he is going to encounter otherwise he runs the risk of suffering from altitude sickness and acute mountain sickness .

"This can result in severe headaches, nausea and he may start feeling very depressed.

Raising money for the charity Scope, which helps people with cerebral palsy, it will take Rob about six days to reach Kilimanjaro summit at the end of January.