Journal of Applied Physiology AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism
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J Appl Physiol (February 23, 2006). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01284.2005
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Submitted on October 6, 2005
Accepted on February 21, 2006

LIVE HIGH - TRAIN LOW FOR 24 DAYS INCREASES HEMOGLOBIN MASS AND RED CELL VOLUME IN ELITE ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Jon Peter Wehrlin1*, Peter Zuest2, Jostein Hallen3, and Bernard Marti2

1 Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, Magglingen, Switzerland; Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
2 Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, Magglingen, Switzerland
3 Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jon.wehrlin{at}baspo.admin.ch.

The effect of live high-train low (LHTL) on hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and red cell volume (RCV) in elite endurance athletes is still controversial. We expected that Hbmass and RCV would increase, when using a presumably adequate hypoxic dose. An altitude group (AG) of ten Swiss national team orienteers (5 males and 5 females) lived at 2500m (18h per day) and trained at 1800m and 1000m above sea level for 24 days. Pre and post altitude, Hbmass, RCV (carbon monoxide re-breathing method), blood, iron and performance parameters were determined. Seven Swiss national team cross country skiers (3 males and 4 females) served as sea level (500 - 1600m) control group (CG) for the changes in Hbmass and RCV. The AG increased Hbmass (805 ± 209 vs 848 ± 225g; p<0.01) and RCV (2353 ± 611 vs 2470 ± 653ml; p<0.01), whereas there was no change for the CG (Hbmass: 849 ± 197 vs 858 ± 205g; RCV: 2373 ± 536 vs 2387 ± 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, while ferritin (p<0.05) decreased in the AG. These changes were associated with an increased VO2max (3515 ± 837 vs 3660 ± 770 ml . min-1; p<0.05) and improved 5000m running times (1098 ± 104 vs 1080 ± 98 s; p<0.01) from pre to post altitude. Living at 2500m and training at lower altitudes for 24 days increases Hbmass and RCV. These changes may contribute to enhanced performance of elite endurance athletes.




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