I conducted a meta-analysis of 23 effect sizes (ES) from nine studies on the effects of moderate altitude (1500m to 4300m) training on sea level endurance performance in running and cycling. ES values were stratified by initial fitness level, duration of the study, and the type of altitude exposure. From the meta-analysis, I concluded that (a) altitude training is no more effective than sea level training for improving sea level performance; (b) subjects with initial VO2max values < 60 ml.kg-1.min-1 had significant positive responses to altitude training, whereas subjects with VO2max values > 60 ml.kg-1.min-1 did not; (c) subjects who trained at altitude for up to two weeks had significant positive responses to altitude training, whereas subjects who trained at altitude for longer than two weeks did not; and (d) subjects who trained in hypobaric chambers elicited the same performance gains as subjects who trained at genuine altitude.
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