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

Wehrlin, Jon Peter; Züst, Peter; Hallén, Jostein; Marti, Bernard (2006). Live high-train low for 24 days increases hemoglobin mass and red cell volume in elite athletes Journal of Applied Physiology, 100(6), pp. 1938-1945. American Physiological Society 10.1152/japplphysiol.01284.2005

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The effect of live high-train low on hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) 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, Hbmass, 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 Hbmass and RCV. The AG increased Hbmass (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 (Hbmass: 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 Hbmass and RCV. These changes may contribute to enhance performance of elite endurance athletes.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen SFISM > EHSM - Leistungssport > Sportphysiologie Ausdauer
Name:	Wehrlin, Jon Peter; Züst, Peter; Hallén, Jostein and Marti, Bernard
ISSN:	8750-7587 (Print) 1522-1601 (Online)
Publisher:	American Physiological Society
Language:	English
Submitter:	Service Account
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2021 10:57
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2021 02:17
Publisher DOI:	10.1152/japplphysiol.01284.2005
Related URLs:	Publication
PubMed ID:	16497842
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Altitude training Hypoxia Blood volume Erythropoietin Maximal oxygen uptake
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.10980
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/10980