Living and training at altitude is as less effective than living at altitude and training near sea level, because the lack of oxygen at altitude results in detraining through a forced reduction in training intensity. It seems the best way to benefit from the positive adaptations of altitude, but avoid it`s negative effects on training, is to live on a mountain but descent in elevation each day to train. Training near sea level while living at an altitude of 2500 m (8000 ft) for a month has been shown to enhance subsequent endurance performance, probably by increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood through an increase in production of red blood cells. Although a small proportion of athletes show no improvement with this "live-high train-low" strategy, the enhancement for the average athlete is 2-3%, with many realizing even greater benefit.
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