European Journal of Applied Physiology

, Volume 106, Issue 3, pp 399–406 | Cite as

Time course of haemoglobin mass during 21 days live high:train low simulated altitude

  • Sally A. Clark
  • M. J. Quod
  • M. A. Clark
  • D. T. Martin
  • P. U. Saunders
  • C. J. Gore
Original Article
First Online:
Accepted:

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the time course of changes in haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) in well-trained cyclists in response to live high:train low (LHTL). Twelve well-trained male cyclists participated in a 3-week LHTL protocol comprising 3,000 m simulated altitude for ~14 h/day. Prior to LHTL duplicate baseline measurements were made of Hbmass, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and serum erythropoietin (sEPO). Hbmass was measured weekly during LHTL and twice in the week thereafter. There was a 3.3% increase in Hbmass and no change in VO2max after LHTL. The mean Hbmass increased at a rate of ~1% per week and this was maintained in the week after cessation of LHTL. The sEPO concentration peaked after two nights of LHTL but there was only a trivial correlation (r = 0.04, P = 0.89) between the increase in sEPO and the increase in Hbmass. Athletes seeking to gain erythropoietic benefits from moderate altitude need to spend >12 h/day in hypoxia.

Keywords

Haemoglobin mass Simulated altitude 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding support for the Australian Institute of Sport Applied Research Centre, and BOC Gases for their technical support.

Supplementary material

421_2009_1027_MOESM1_ESM.pdf (9.8 mb)
Supplementary material 1 (PDF 10040 kb)

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sally A. Clark
    • 1
  • M. J. Quod
    • 1
  • M. A. Clark
    • 1
  • D. T. Martin
    • 1
  • P. U. Saunders
    • 1
  • C. J. Gore
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of PhysiologyAustralian Institute of SportBelconnenAustralia
  2. 2.School of EducationFlinders UniversityAdelaideAustralia

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