A Three-Week Traditional Altitude Training Increases Hemoglobin Mass and Red Cell Volume in Elite Biathlon Athletes

Abstract

It is well known that altitude training stimulates erythropoiesis, but only few data are available concerning the direct altitude effect on red blood cell volume (RCV) in world class endurance athletes during exposure to continued hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of three weeks of traditional altitude training at 2050 m on total hemoglobin mass (tHb), RCV and erythropoietic activity in highly-trained endurance athletes. Total hemoglobin mass, RCV, plasma volume (PV), and blood volume (BV) from 6 males and 4 females, all members of a world class biathlon team, were determined on days 1 and 20 during their stay at altitude as well as 16 days after returning to sea-level conditions (800 m, only males) by using the CO-rebreathing method. In males tHb (14.0 +/- 0.2 to 15.3 +/- 1.0 g/kg, p< 0.05) and RCV (38.9 +/- 1.5 to 43.5 +/- 3.9 ml/kg, p < 0.05) increased at altitude and returned to near sea-level values 16 days after descent. Similarly in females, tHb (13.0 +/- 1.0 to 14.2 +/- 1.3 g/kg, p < 0.05) and RCV (37.3 +/- 3.3 to 42.2 +/- 4.1 ml/kg, p < 0.05) increased. Compared to their sea-level values, the BV of male and female athletes showed a tendency to increase at the end of the altitude training period, whereas PV was not altered. In male athletes, plasma erythropoietin concentration increased up to day 4 at altitude (11.8 +/- 5.0 to 20.8 +/- 6.0 mU/ml, p < 0.05) and the plasma concentration of the soluble transferrin receptor was elevated by about 11 % during the second part of the altitude training period, both parameters indicating enhanced erythropoietic activity. In conclusion, we show for the first time that a three-week traditional altitude training increases erythropoietic activity even in world class endurance athletes leading to elevated tHb and RCV. Considering the relatively fast return of tHb and RCV to sea-level values after hypoxic exposure, our data suggest to precisely schedule training at altitude and competition at sea level.

Live High-Train Low Altitude Training: Responders and Non- Responders

“…The relative increase (compared to non-responders) in the current study in SpO 2 in responders (which corroborates the theory of Chapman et al could be explained in part by increased haemoglobin concentration [30], enhanced erythropoietic response [7,31], which may result in increased red cell volume [4] and subsequently increased arterial oxygen content. Weil et al noted a graded response such that an increase in red cell mass was proportional to oxyhaemoglobin saturation at sea level and altitude [32].…”

“…The other possible cause for lower heart rates in responders during submaximal exercise may be due to increased vagal dominance [14], or to the elevation of red cell volume, therefore blood volume, stroke volume and ultimately cardiac output, which subsequently decreases heart rate. A recent study demonstrated that red cell volume remained elevated in responders after 2 weeks of altitude training, while non-responders red cell volume returned to their original levels [4]. However, such linkages between heart rate changes and response to altitude require further research to confirm findings.…”

“…Investigators have suggested that some athletes experience a better haematological response at altitude than others [4][5][6], which may help reduce stress by allowing more oxygen to be transported to the working muscle. Chapman et al found that performance improvement was associated with increased Erythropoietin (Epo) which increased total red cell volume and subsequently VO 2max after a 28-day altitude training camp in responders [5].…”

Moderate altitude but not additional endurance training increases markers of oxidative stress in exhaled breath condensate

“…Three -four weeks at moderate altitude is the minimal recommended period required to maximize the erythropoietic response (Chapman and Levine 2007;Heinicke et al 2005). …”

Usefulness of training camps at high altitude for well-trained adolescents

“…Wilber (2004) and Millet and Schmitt (2012) state that the best thing for peak endurance athletes is permanent residence at an altitude of 1800 to 2300 m above sea level (ASL). If a permanent move to such an altitude is not possible, then Levine and Stray-Gundersen (1997) and Heinicke, Heinecke, Schmidt, and Wolfarth (2005), for example, consider it optimal to repeat altitude training camps several times over the course of the annual training cycle with a minimum length of 21 days due to the course of acclimatisation. This length is optimal, but due to socioeconomic reasons it is not always possible (Suchý & Dovalil, 2009).…”