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Live high-train low for 24 days increases hemoglobin mass and red cell volume in elite endurance athletes

¹Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, Magglingen, Switzerland; and ²Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway

Submitted 6 October 2005 ; accepted in final form 21 February 2006

The effect of live high-train low on hemoglobin mass (Hb_mass) and red cell volume (RCV) in elite endurance athletes is still controversial. We expected that Hb_mass and RCV would increase, when using a presumably adequate hypoxic dose. An altitude group (AG) of 10 Swiss national team orienteers (5 men and 5 women) lived at 2,500 m (18 h per day) and trained at 1,800 and 1,000 m above sea level for 24 days. Before and after altitude, Hb_mass, RCV (carbon monoxide rebreathing method), blood, iron, and performance parameters were determined. Seven Swiss national team cross-country skiers (3 men and 4 women) served as "sea level" (500–1,600 m) control group (CG) for the changes in Hb_mass and RCV. The AG increased Hb_mass (805 ± 209 vs. 848 ± 225 g; P < 0.01) and RCV (2,353 ± 611 vs. 2,470 ± 653 ml; P < 0.01), whereas there was no change for the CG (Hb_mass: 849 ± 197 vs. 858 ± 205 g; RCV: 2,373 ± 536 vs. 2,387 ± 551 ml). Serum erythropoietin (P < 0.001), reticulocytes (P < 0.001), transferrin (P < 0.001), soluble transferrin receptor (P < 0.05), and hematocrit (P < 0.01) increased, whereas ferritin (P < 0.05) decreased in the AG. These changes were associated with an increased maximal oxygen uptake (3,515 ± 837 vs. 3,660 ± 770 ml/min; P < 0.05) and improved 5,000-m running times (1,098 ± 104 vs. 1,080 ± 98 s; P < 0.01) from pre- to postaltitude. Living at 2,500 m and training at lower altitudes for 24 days increases Hb_mass and RCV. These changes may contribute to enhance performance of elite endurance athletes.

altitude training; hypoxia; blood volume; erythropoietin; maximal oxygen uptake

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