Year-to-year variability in haemoglobin mass response to two altitude training camps

Abstract

AimTo quantify the year-to-year variability of altitude-induced changes in haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) in elite team-sport athletes.Methods12 Australian-Footballers completed a 19-day (ALT1) and 18-day (ALT2) moderate altitude (∼2100 m), training camp separated by 12 months. An additional 20 participants completed only one of the two training camps (ALT1 additional n=9, ALT2 additional n=11). Total Hbmass was assessed using carbon monoxide rebreathing before (PRE), after (POST1) and 4 weeks after each camp. The typical error of Hbmass for the pooled data of all 32 participants was 2.6%. A contemporary statistics analysis was used with the smallest worthwhile change set to 2% for Hbmass.ResultsPOST1 Hbmass was very likely increased in ALT1 (3.6±1.6%, n=19; mean±∼90 CL) as well as ALT2 (4.4±1.3%, n=23) with an individual responsiveness of 1.3% and 2.2%, respectively. There was a small correlation between ALT1 and ALT2 (R=0.21, p=0.59) for a change in Hbmass, but a moderately inverse relationship between the change in Hbmass and initial relative Hbmass (g/kg (R=−0.51, p=0.04)).ConclusionsTwo preseason moderate altitude camps 1 year apart yielded a similar (4%) mean increase in Hbmass of elite footballers, with an individual responsiveness of approximately half the group mean effect, indicating that most players gained benefit. Nevertheless, the same individuals generally did not change their Hbmass consistently from year to year. Thus, a ‘responder’ or ‘non-responder’ to altitude for Hbmass does not appear to be a fixed trait.

Altitude training and haemoglobin mass from the optimised carbon monoxide rebreathing method determined by a meta-analysis

“…In the current meta-analysis, there was little evidence of biological variation for the first week, but thereafter the additional progressive increase in SD is evidence of biological variation. Sources of biological variation in Hbmass of athletes include illness, injury,50 training51 and energy intake 22…”

“…Individual, deidentified raw data were provided from 17 studies8 13 14 19–31; seven were classic altitude training (ie, living and training on a mountain) studies,13 22 23 28 29 31 32 eight were live high train low (LHTL) studies8 14 19–21 25 27 30 and two included a mixture of classic and LHTL modalities 24 26. Regardless of the form of altitude or simulated altitude, hereafter, all such studies will be referred to as ‘altitude’ studies for simplicity.…”

Position statement—altitude training for improving team-sport players’ performance: current knowledge and unresolved issues

“…It has been acknowledged that in elite endurance19 as well as team-sport20 athletes the effect of altitude training on red cell mass may depend on the initial haemoglobin mass (Hbmass). The proposed rationale is that an initial high Hbmass will not allow Hbmass to increase substantially following altitude training, whereas an initial low value will likely lead to meaningful enhancements in Hbmass 21.…”

“…In elite junior soccer players, the potential for altitude training to increase Hbmass was 3% after 12 days at 3600 m,24 and it is likely also present at the lower altitudes usually used for altitude-training camps by team-sport players 20. The rationale for attempting to increase Hbmass in team-sport players would be to increase their VO 2max and enhance blood buffer capacity, and thereby decrease relative exercise intensity during games and increase tolerance for repeated-sprint exercises, respectively 16 30–34.…”

“…Owing to possible inter-individual variability (eg, individual responsiveness is approximately half the group mean effect in professional football players completing an LHTH training camp),20 when it comes to improving player's fitness, one may question whether having all the team members residing and training at the same natural altitude is a sound approach if no individual adjustments in training content are made. Another recognised concern of hypoxic exposure is the large and individual decrease in maximal aerobic power (VO 2max , ∼7% per 1000 m altitude ascent),42 which may slow down the process of phosphocreatine resynthesis when recovering from high-intensity efforts 43 44.…”