The effects of altitude/hypoxic training on oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity in elite athletes – a metaanalysis

Abstract

[Purpose]This study was designed as a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing effectiveness of altitude/hypoxic training (experimental) versus sea-level training (control) on oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity of elite athletes in Korea.[Methods]Databases (Research Information Service System, Korean studies Information Service System, National Assembly Library) were for randomized controlled trials comparing altitude/hypoxic training versus sea-level training in elite athletes. Studies published in Korea up to December 2015 were eligible for inclusion. Oxygen delivery capacity of the blood was quantified by red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), erythropoietin (EPO); and aerobic exercise capacity was quantified by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). RBC, Hb, Hct, VO2max represented heterogeneity and compared post-intervention between altitude/hypoxic training and sea-level training in elite athletes by a random effect model meta-analysis. EPO represented homogeneity and meta-analysis performed by a fixed effect model. Eight independent studies with 156 elite athletes (experimental: n = 82, control: n = 74) were included in the metaanalysis.[Results]RBC (4.499×105 cell/ul, 95 % CI: 2.469 to 6.529), Hb (5.447 g/dl, 95 % CI: 3.028 to 7.866), Hct (3.639 %, 95 % CI: 1.687 to 5.591), EPO (0.711 mU/mL, 95% CI: 0.282 to 1.140), VO2max (1.637 ml/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.599 to 1.400) showed significantly greater increase following altitude/hypoxic training, as compared with sea-level training.[Conclusion]For elite athletes in Korea, altitude/ hypoxic training appears more effective than sea-level training for improvement of oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity.

Interval Hypoxic Training Enhances Athletic Performance and Does Not Adversely Affect Immune Function in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners

“…Enhancing these factors, which are related to endurance exercise performance, increases the efficiency of aerobic energy production and consequently enhances maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max). It also enhances athletic performance by improving time until fatigue and increasing exercise intensity [3][4][5][6]. In particular, endurance exercise performance is reported to be the most affected by hemodynamic function, which is an indicator of oxygen transport and utilization ability [7].…”

“…The most typical altitude/hypoxic training regimens proposed include living high-training high (LHTH), living high-training low (LHTL), and living low-training high (LLTH) methods. The LHTH method involves living and training at 1500-4000 m in natural altitude environments, while the LHTL method involves living at or near sea level but training under a natural or simulated altitude condition of 2000-3000 m [3,4,6]. The LLTH method may be of particular interest to athletes because this training commonly involves shorter hypoxic exposure (approximately two to five sessions per week of <3 h), lower cost, lesser effort, and lesser time than the LHTH and LHTL methods [1].…”

Effects of Living High-Training Low and High on Body Composition and Metabolic Risk Markers in Overweight and Obese Females

“…e above reports suggest that a hypoxic environment may be beneficial for weight loss. Additionally, the beneficial effects of exposure to hypoxia have been shown, such as an enhanced ability to transport oxygen to muscle, the improvement of fat oxidation, and insulin sensitivity [16][17][18]. Living low-training high (LLTH) which means that just training under hypoxia has been used for obese subjects in several studies.…”

The effect of 4 weeks fixed and mixed intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of capillary blood during submaximal bicycle exercise in male elite Taekwondo players

“…Since the 1968 Olympic Games were held in Mexico City at 2240 m high altitude, altitude/hypoxic training has been studied for exercise performance in elite athletes 29 . Currently, this training is commonly applied to athletes and coaches with consequent improvement in exercise performance in individual and team sports 1, 40 .…”

“…However, LHTH and LHTL methods require a relatively long time (> 12 h/day and 2 weeks) in a hypoxic dose 41 . Also, LHTH is conducted in high altitude areas such as Chamonix in France, Albuquerque in United States, and Kunming in China; and LHTL is conducted with living at very expensive hypoxic accommodations and hotels 3, 22, 29 . Also, such domestic and foreign places and facilities are inadequate 27, 29 .…”