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Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(8): 561-568
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820963
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hemoglobin Mass and Peak Oxygen Uptake in Untrained and Trained Female Altitude Residents

D. Böning1 , E. Cristancho1 , M. Serrato2 , O. Reyes2 , M. Mora3 , L. Coy4 , J. Rojas4
  • 1Institute of Sports Medicine; Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2Centro de Servicios Biomedicos, Coldeportes Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
  • 3Departamento de Nutrición, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
  • 4Centro de Fisiologia del Ejercicio, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: February 9, 2004

Publication Date:
27 May 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Total hemoglobin mass has not been systematically investigated in females at altitude. We measured this quantity (CO-rebreathing method) as well as peak oxygen uptake in 54 young women (age 22.5 ± 0.6 SE years) with differing physical fitness living in Bogotá (2600 m) and compared the results with those of 19 subjects from 964 m in Colombia and 75 subjects from 35 m in Germany. In spite of an increased hemoglobin concentration the hemoglobin mass was not changed in highlanders (means 9.0 to 9.5 g · kg-1 in untrained subjects at all altitude levels). Endurance trained athletes, however, showed a rise in hemoglobin mass by 2 - 3 g · kg-1 at all sites. Erythropoietin was little increased in Bogotá; iron stores were within the normal range. Aerobic performance capacity was lower at high altitude than at sea level and remained so also after correction for the hypoxic deterioration in untrained and moderately trained subjects but not in athletes; possibly the cause was reduced daily physical activity in non-athletic Bogotanians compared to lowlanders. After exclusion of the factor V·O2peak by analysis of covariance a mean rise of 6.6 % in hemoglobin mass at 2600 m was calculated being smaller than in males (> 12 %). The attenuated increase of hemoglobin mass in female highlanders possibly results from stimulation of ventilation improving arterial oxygen saturation or from an increased hypoxia tolerance of cellular metabolism both caused by female sexual hormones.

Key words

Blood volume - erythropoietin - gender - hypoxia tolerance

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Prof. Dr. D. Böning

Institute of Sports Medicine, Charité-University Medicine Berlin

Arnimallee 22

14195 Berlin

Germany

Phone: + 493084451621

Fax: + 49 30 84 45 16 53

Email: dieter.boening@charite.de