Aim To clarify whether four weeks of "live high, train high and low" (LHTHL) at simulated altitude influenced hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max). Methods Nineteen (13 women, 6 men) cross-country skiers completed a 28-day period (~18 h/d) of LHTHL at simulated altitude (normobaric hypoxia) of ~2400 m (HYPOX group). HYPOX performed two 1-hour low-intensity training sessions each week at a simulated altitude of 2500 m while continu ing their normal training program at normoxia. Hbmass was assessed using a carbon monoxide rebreathing method'1 and VO2max was measured using an incremental treadmill test. Measure ments were completed at baseline and within three days after simulated altitude. The control group skiers (CON, 7 women, 8 men) performed the same tests while living and training nor moxia with 4 weeks between the tests. Results Hbmass in HYPOX increased 4.8% (p<0.001) from 761±202 g (11.6±1.4 g/kg) to 797±212 g (12.5±1.5 g/kg) while an insignificant 1.2% (p=0.13) increase from 860±171 g (11.6±1.4 g/kg) to 870±176 g (11.9±1.6 g/kg) was detected in CON. VO2max did not increase (61.5±8.9 ml/kg/min vs. 62.4±7.5 ml/kg/min) in HYPOX (p=0.077) while a significant increase was detected in CON (61.3±8.0 to 64.0±8.1 ml/kg/min, p=0.001). Practical applications LHTHL training at simulated altitude may be successfully exploited to increase Hbmass, which theoretically should be beneficial for VO_2max'2. Nevertheless, the altitude period may compromise short-term VO2max development compared to basic training in normoxia. Thus, more understand ing is needed regarding implementation of LHTHL training to achieve desired performance im provements.
© Copyright 2022 Book of Abstracts. 4th Nordic Winter Sports Conference "Performance in snow sports: Translating science into practice" 3rd-4th October, 2022, Mid Sweden University, Campus Östersund, Sweden. Veröffentlicht von Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre at Mid Sweden University. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.