Table 8 Changes of haematological variables related to hypoxic training strategies

Living high-training high (LHTH) protocols

Bonne et al. [58]

Swimmers (n = 20)

One group of swimmers lived high and trained high (LHTH, n = 10) for three to four weeks at 2130 m or higher, while a control group (n = 10) completed a three-week training camp at sea level. Haematological parameters were determined weekly three times before and four times after the training camps (+ 7, + 14, + 21 and + 28 d)

= (NS)

↓ − 34% (7 d)

↑ + 22% (7 d)

↑ + 5% (7 d)

–

Garvican et al. [59]

Cyclists (n = 13)

Haematological parameters were measured in 13 elite cyclists during and 10 d after 3 weeks of sea level or altitude training (2760 m). The altitude group participated in a 3-week natural altitude training camp at Passo dello Stelvio, Italy, living at 2760 m and training during the majority of ride time > 1800 m for 2–6 h d⁻¹

= (NS)

↑ + 25%

–

= (NS)

–

↑ (12 d)

↓ (31 d)

Wachsmuth et al. [60]

Swimmers (n = 27)

Twenty-five athletes trained between one and three times for 3–4 weeks at altitude training camps. Three training camp were at 2320 m (G1) in Sierra Nevada, Spain, and one training camp was at 1360 m (G2) in Pretoria, South Africa

= ↑ + 4% (4 weeks)

=/= (NS)

=/= (NS)

=/= (NS)

=/= (NS)

Ashenden et al. [61]

Endurance athletes (n = 23)

The haematological and physiological responses of 23 well-trained athletes (12 cyclists, 10 kayakers, 13 triathletes and 11 middle-distance runners) exposed to a simulated altitude of 2650 m for 11 ± 23 nights (ALT) were contrasted with those of healthy volunteers receiving a low dose (150 IU·kg⁻¹ per week) of rEPO for 25 d (DOP)

–

↑ + 36% (17 d)

–

–

–

Living high-training low (LHTL) protocols

Ashenden et al. [62]

Endurance athletes (n = 64)

Haematologic data were collected from three groups: 19 elite cyclists who lived and trained 2690 m above sea level for 26–31 d (LH-TH), from 39 well-trained subjects who resided at sea level but slept at a simulated altitude of 2650–3000 m for 20–23 d of consecutive or intermittent nightly exposure (LH-TL), and from six elite Kenyan runners who lived 2100 m above sea level but descended to compete at sea level competitions

↑ (21 d)

↑ (21 d)

↑ (21 d)

–

–

Garvican-Lewis et al. [63]

Endurance athletes (n = 34)

Thirty‐four endurance‐trained athletes (20 runners, 11 cyclists and three triathletes) completed 3 weeks of simulated LH-TL altitude training, accumulating an average of 14 h d⁻¹ at a simulated altitude (normobaric hypoxia) of 3000 m. Athletes received either oral (ORAL), intravenous (IV) or placebo iron supplementation (PLA)

↑ + 0.9

↓ − 0.2%

↑ + 10 pt

–

–

↑ + 0.8

↓ − 0.2% = (21 d)

↑ + 8 pt

↑ + 0.6 g·dL⁻¹ (21 d)

↑ + 9 pt (21 d)

Neya et al. [64]

Recreational athletes (n = 14)

Fourteen male collegiate runners were equally divided into two groups: altitude (ALT) and control (CON). Both groups spent 22 d at 1300–1800 m. The ALT group spent 10 h/night for 21 nights in simulated altitude (3000 m), while the CON group stayed at 1300 m (Takayama, Gifu, Japan)

↑ (17 d)

↑ (17 d)

–

↑ (17 d)

–

Voss et al. [65]

Runners (n = 10)

The participants spent ~ 6 h·d⁻¹ at 3000–5400 m during waking hours and ~ 10 h·d⁻¹ overnight at 2400–3000 m simulated altitude. Venous blood samples were collected before hypoxic exposure (B0), after + 1 (D1), + 4 (D4), + 7 (D7) and + 14 (D14) d of hypoxic exposure and again + 14 d post-exposure (P14)

↑ + 0,9 g·dL⁻¹ (D14)

↑ + 0.4%

↑ (P14)

–

–

↓ − 1,3 g·dL⁻¹ (P14)

↓ (D7)

↓ (P14)

Intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) or training (IHT)

Kasperska and Zembron-Lacny [66]

Wrestlers (n = 12)

Twelve wrestlers were assigned to two groups: hypoxia (sports training combined with intermittent hypoxic exposure) and control (sports training only). An approximately 1 h intermittent hypoxic exposure was performed once a day for 10 d with one day off after 6 d

= (NS)

↑ + 350% (10 d)

–

= (NS)

–

Abellan, Ventura, Remacha et al. [67]

Triathletes (n = 16)

Sixteen male triathletes were randomly assigned to either the intermittent hypoxia exposure group or the control normoxic group. The exposure group were exposed to simulated altitude (4000–5500 m) in a hypobaric chamber for 3 h d⁻¹, 5 d a week for 4 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected before and after the first (T0) and the final exposures (T1) and 2 weeks after the final exposure (T2)

= (NS)

= (NS)

–

= (NS)

–

Sanchez and Borrani [68]

Runners (n = 30)

Fifteen highly trained endurance runners completed a 6-week regimented training with three sessions per week consisting of intermittent runs (6 × work-rest ratio of 5′:5′) on a treadmill at 80–85% of maximal aerobic speed. Nine athletes (the hypoxic group) performed the exercise bouts at FI0₂ = 10.6–11.4%, while six athletes (the normoxic group) exercised in ambient air

= (NS)

= (NS)

= (NS)

= (NS)

–