Erythropoiesis and Performance after Two Weeks of Living High and Training Low in Well Trained Triathletes

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to evaluate hematologic acclimatization during 2 weeks of intensive normoxic training with regeneration at moderate altitude (living high-training low, LHTL) and its effects on sea-level performance in well trained athletes compared to another group of equally trained athletes under control conditions (living low - training low, CONTROL). Twenty-one triathletes were ascribed either to LHTL (n = 11; age: 23.0 ± 4.3 yrs; V˙O₂max: 62.5 ± 9.7 [ml × min^-1 × kg^-1]) living at 1956 m of altitude or to CONTROL (n = 10; age: 18.7 ± 5.6 yrs; V˙O₂max: 60.5 ± 6.7 ml × min^-1 × kg^-1) living at 800 m. Both groups perfomed an equal training schedule at 800 m. V˙O₂max, endurance performance, erythropoietin in serum, hemoglobin mass (Hb_tot, CO-rebreathing method) and hematological quantities were measured. A tendency to improved performance in LHTL after the camp was not significant (p < 0.07). Erythropoietin concentration increased temporarily in LHTL (Δ 14.3 ± 8.7 mU × ml^-1; p < 0.012). Hb_tot remained unchanged in LHTL whereas was slightly decreased from 12.5 ± 1.3 to 11.9 ± 1.3g × kg^-1 in CONTROL (p < 0.01). As the reticulocyte number tended to higher values in LHTL than in CONTROL, it seems that a moderate stimulation of erythropoiesis during regeneration at altitude served as a compensation for an exercise-induced destruction of red cells.

Blood volume - endurance performance - erythropoietin - intermittent hypoxia - reticulocytes

References

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