低氧训练对大鼠骨骼肌VEGF mRNA表达及毛细血管密度的影响

目的:探讨低氧训练对大鼠骨骼肌血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)mRNA水平表达及毛细血管密度的影响.方法:选用6周龄雄性SD大鼠120只,经3周适应性训练和力竭实验筛选出90只,随机分为9组:常氧安静对照组、持续低氧安静组、间歇低氧安静组、低住低练组、高住高练组、高住低练组、低住高练组、高住高练后复氧训练组、高住低练后复氧训练组.采用常压低氧舱以13.6%的氧浓度(相当于海拔3500m的氧浓度)作为低氧环境,根据血乳酸一速度曲线确定大鼠常氧训练的强度为35m/min,低氧训练的强度为30m/min.低氧训练持续时间为6周,每周训练5天.在第6周末的最后一次运动后休息48小时后处死大鼠并取材.采用实时荧光定量PCR技术、免疫组化染色法检测大鼠骨骼肌VEGF mRNA表达及毛细血管密度.结果:与常氧安静对照组相比,高住高练组骨骼肌VEGF mRNA表达明显提高(P＜0.01),而高住低练组和低住高练组变化不明显;高住高练后复氧训练l周,大鼠骨骼肌VEGF mRNA表达有非常显著性下降(P＜0.01),回到常氧安静组水平.与常氧安静对照组相比,高住高练组和低住高练组骨骼肌毛细血管密度增加,有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01).结论:(1)高住高练比高住低练和低住高练更能显著提高骨骼肌VEGFmRNA表达水平.(2)低氧-常氧的反复刺激更有利于血管生成.低氧下训练比常氧下训练更有利于提高骨骼肌毛细血管密度.低住高练和高住高练对血管生成的效果好于高住低练.     

低氧训练对大鼠骨骼肌血红素氧合酶mRNA表达的影响

目的:探讨不同低氧训练模式对机体骨骼肌血红素合酶(HO-1)mRNA表达的影响。方法:选用6周龄SD雄性大鼠120只,经3周适应性训练和力竭实验筛选出90只,随机分成9组:常氧安静对照组、持续低氧安静组、间歇低氧安静组、低住低练组、高住高练组、高住低练组、低住高练组、高住高练后复氧训练组、高住低练后复氧训练组。采用常压低氧舱以13.6%的氧浓度(相当于海拔3500m的氧浓度)进行低氧训练,根据血乳酸-速度曲线确定大鼠常氧训练的强度为35m/min,低氧训练的强度为30m/min。低氧训练持续时间为6周,每周训练5天。第6周末最后一次运动后休息48h后处死、取材。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术测试大鼠骨骼肌HO-1mRNA表达。结果:与常氧安静对照组相比,低住低练组大鼠骨骼肌HO-1mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05),高住高练组、低住高练组非常显著升高(P<0.01);高住低练组与低住低练组比较显著降低(P<0.05);高住高练后复氧训练组大鼠骨骼肌HO-1mRNA表达与高住高练组相比显著降低(P<0.01),基本回到常氧安静对照组水平。结论:高住高练和低住高练可提骨骼肌HO-1mRNA表达。     

不同低氧训练模式对大鼠腓肠肌有氧代谢酶活性的影响

目的:探讨三种低氧训练模式对大鼠腓肠肌有氧代谢酶活性的影响。方法:经过适应性训练和力竭实验筛选出40只雄性SD大鼠,采用双盲法平均分成4组:低住低练组、高住高练组、高住低练组和低住高练组。采用水平动物跑台进行耐力训练,运动强度为常氧下35m/min、低氧下30m/min,1h/d,5d/周,持续训练6周。低住低练组大鼠在常氧环境下生活训练;高住高练组大鼠在低氧环境(氧浓度为13.6%,约相当于海拔3500m高度)生活训练;高住低练组大鼠低氧环境生活12h,常氧环境训练;低住高练组大鼠在常氧环境生活,低氧环境训练。最后一次训练后恢复48h取腓肠肌,检测柠檬酸合成酶(CS)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活性。结果:与低住低练组比较,高住高练组大鼠腓肠肌CS、SDH和MDH活性分别升高11.7%(P<0.01)、8.7%(P<0.05)和12.5%(P<0.01);高住低练组、低住高练组较低住低练组增加,但无统计学意义。结论:3500米三种低氧训练模式就提高机体有氧代谢酶活性而言,高住高练优于高住低练和低住高练。     

低氧训练对大鼠肾组织细胞凋亡及HIF-1α、bax、bcl-2表达的影响

目的:观察低氧训练对大鼠肾组织细胞凋亡及HIF-1α、bax、bcl-2表达的影响,为探讨低氧训练适应机理提供依据。方法:60只SD大鼠按体重随机分为6组,每组10只,即:常氧组(C)、高住8h组(8hHi)、高住12h组(12hHi)、常氧运动组(T)、高住低练8h组(8hHiLo)和高住低练12h组(12hHiLo)。T、8hHiLo、12hHiLo组大鼠每天在坡度为0的动物跑台上以25m/min的速度训练1h。训练后,将8hHi、8hHiLo组和12hHi、12hHiLo组分别放入氧浓度为12.5%(相当于海拔4000m)的低氧舱内8h和12h,5d/周。实验周期为4周。最后一次实验结束后24小时取材,采用HE染色、原位末端脱氧核糖核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)及蛋白免疫组织化学法检测各组大鼠肾组织细胞凋亡和HIF-1α、bcl-2、bax表达,分析各指标之间的相关关系。结果:(1)与常氧组相比,高住12小时组、常氧运动组及高住低练组凋亡指数均显著增加(P<0.05);与常氧运动组比较,12小时高住低练组凋亡指数增加,具有统计学意义(P<0.05);8小时高住低练组凋亡指数比8小时高住组显著增加(P<0.05),12小时高住低练组凋亡指数比12小时高住组显著增加(P<0.05);与8小时高住低练组相比,12小时高住低练组凋亡指数显著增加(P<0.05)。(2)高住组、常氧运动组及高住低练组与常氧组相比HIF-1α、bcl-2、bax、bax/bcl-2均具有显著性差异(P<0.05);8小时和12小时高住低练组与常氧运动组相比,bcl-2、bax、bax/bcl-2亦具有显著性差异(P<0.05);12小时高住低练组bcl-2、bax、bax/bcl-2比12小时高住组显著增加(P<0.05),与8小时高住低练组相比,12小时高住低练组bcl-2、bax、bax/bcl-2显著增加(P<0.05);(3)凋亡指数与bax及bax/bcl-2、HIF-1α与bax呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论:(1)低氧训练可诱导大鼠肾组织HIF-1α、bcl-2以及bax蛋白表达,细胞凋亡指数及病理损伤与运动时低氧刺激有关,以高住低练12小时组最明显。(2)bcl-2与bax参与调控肾组织细胞的凋亡;HIF-1α的表达可能协同bcl-2家族凋亡相关因子的表达,在低氧训练导致的肾组织细胞凋亡中发挥双重效应。     

高住低练对大鼠肝组织低氧诱导因子-1α蛋白表达的影响

目的:探讨不同持续时间低氧后运动训练(高住低练)对大鼠肝组织低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)蛋白表达的影响。方法:将60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为6组,每组10只:安静对照组不训练,不进行低氧暴露;两低氧暴露组和两高住低练组每天分别进行8小时或12小时低氧暴露(氧浓度12.6%,相当于海拔4000m);同时,训练对照组和两高住低练组每天均以25m/min的速度进行跑台训练1h,每周5天,共4周。采用免疫组织化学的方法检测各组大鼠肝组织HIF-1α的蛋白表达,并采用计算机显微图像分析系统进行HIF-1α定位及阳性表达定量分析。结果:与安静对照组相比,不论是单纯低氧暴露组、单纯训练组或者高住低练组HIF-1α蛋白表达均显著增加(P<0.05);12小时低氧暴露组HIF-1α蛋白表达灰度值比8小时稍增高,无统计学意义(P>0.05),而阳性物质表达面积和PI显著增加(P<0.05);与训练对照组比较,8小时和12小时高住低练组HIF-1α蛋白表达增加,具有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);8小时高住低练组HIF-1α蛋白表达比8小时低氧暴露组显著增加(P<0.05),12小时高住低练组HIF-1α蛋白表达比12小时低氧暴露组显著增加(P<0.05,P<0.01);与8小时高住低练组相比,12小时高住低练组HIF-1α蛋白表达显著增加(P<0.05)。结论:(1)不论单纯低氧暴露、单纯训练或者高住低练均能促进肝组织HIF-1α蛋白表达增加;(2)高住低练过程中肝组织HIF-1α蛋白表达高于单纯低氧暴露或单纯训练方式,不同持续时间低氧后运动对大鼠肝组织HIF-1α蛋白表达的影响不同。     

低氧训练对大鼠心、肝、肾、海马组织细胞凋亡的影响及其机制研究

目的:观察低氧训练对大鼠心、肝、肾、海马组织细胞凋亡及HIF-1α、Bax、Bcl-2表达的影响,探讨低氧训练的适应机理。方法:70只SD大鼠按体重随机分为7组,每组10只,即正常对照组(A)、高住8 h组(B)、高住12 h组(C)、常氧运动组(D)、8 h高住低练组(E)、12 h高住低练组(F)和一次力竭运动组(G)。D、E、F组大鼠每天在坡度为0的动物跑台上,以25 m/min的速度训练1 h。训练后,分别将B、E组和C、F组依次放入氧浓度为12.5%(相当于海拔4000 m)的低氧舱内8 h和12h。5 d/周,实验期4周。最后一次训练,B、C、D、E、F、G组以25 m/min的速度训练至力竭,24 h后大鼠均实施速眠新II腹腔麻醉后心脏取血致死,取材。采用HE染色、原位末端脱氧核糖核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)及蛋白免疫组织化学法检测大鼠心、肝、肾、海马组织细胞凋亡和HIF-1α、Bcl-2、Bax表达。结果:(1)随时间延长,高住组大鼠心、肝、肾、海马组织出现棕褐色凋亡细胞;12 h高住低练组大鼠心、肝、肾组织可见细胞肿胀、间隙明显增大,凋亡细胞核随时间延长明显增多,而海马组织凋亡细胞核明显减少;常氧运动组可见较多凋亡细胞核,一次力竭运动组可见大量凋亡细胞核。(2)高住组、常氧运动组、高住低练组、一次力竭运动组心、肝、肾细胞凋亡指数、Bax、HIF-1α表达显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05),而高住12 h组、常氧运动组、一次力竭运动组海马区细胞凋亡指数、Bax、HIF-1α显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05)。12 h高住低练组心、肝、肾凋亡指数、Bax及HIF-1α表达显著高于常氧运动组(P<0.05),而高住低练组海马区细胞凋亡指数、Bax及HIF-1α表达显著低于常氧运动组(P<0.05)。高住组、常氧运动组、8 h高住低练组心、肝、肾、海马细胞凋亡指数、凋亡发生率及Bax、HIF-1α表达显著低于一次力竭运动组(P<0.05);12 h高住低练组心、肝、肾凋亡发生率、凋亡指数及Bax、HIF-1α表达显著高于高住组和常氧运动组(P<0.05),而高住组和常氧运动组及一次力竭运动组海马组织凋亡发生率、凋亡指数及Bax、HIF-1α表达显著高于高住低练组。(3)各实验组心、肝、肾Bcl-2蛋白表达显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05);与一次力竭运动组相比,高住8h组、常氧运动组有下降趋势,但无统计学意义;随着低氧暴露时间延长,高住组心、肝、肾Bcl-2蛋白表达增加不明显,高住低练组Bcl-2蛋白表达随低氧暴露时间延长而增加;而高住组、高住低练组海马区Bcl-2蛋白表达随低氧暴露时间延长而降低。结论:(1)耐力运动、8 h和12 h的4000 m低氧暴露、8 h高住低练可提高大鼠有氧代谢能力。(2)低氧、耐力运动、高住低练、一次力竭运动诱导大鼠心、肝、肾、海马组织HIF-1α、Bcl-2及Bax蛋白表达,细胞凋亡率与凋亡指数及损伤与低氧刺激和大强度运动有关,12 h高住低练及一次力竭运动对运动能力影响最明显。(3)Bcl-2与Bax参与调控心、肝、肾、海马组织细胞凋亡,HIF-1α表达可能协同Bcl-2家族调控凋亡相关因子的表达,在低氧训练导致的组织细胞凋亡中发挥双重效应。(4)低氧刺激对不同组织影响不一,对心、肝、肾影响较大,海马组织相对稳定。     

不同低氧训练模式对大鼠脑组织线粒体呼吸链酶复合体活性的影响

目的:探讨不同低氧训练模式对大鼠脑线粒体呼吸链功能的影响。方法:40只健康2月龄雄性Wistar大鼠随机均分为5组:常氧训练组(LoLo)、高住高练组(HiHi)、高住低训组(HiLo)、低住高练组(LoHi)和高住高练低训组(HiHiLo),每组8只。依实验方案,各组大鼠分别在常氧(模拟海拔1500m,大气压为632mmHg)或/和低氧(模拟海拔3500m,大气压为493mmHg)环境中居住及递增负荷训练5周,每周训练6天。最后一次训练后在常氧环境恢复72h,力竭运动后即刻取样。差速离心提取线粒体。分光光度法测定呼吸链酶复合体(CⅠ～CⅢ)活性。结果:4个低氧训练组大鼠脑组织线粒体呼吸链CⅠ活性与LoLo组相比均无显著性差异。LoHi组CⅡ活性显著下降(P<0.01),降低76.199%,其余各组无显著性差异。HiHi组、HiLo组和LoHi组CⅢ活性均显著下降(P<0.01),分别降低71.496%、65.240%和87.838%,HiHiLo组显著性上升(P<0.01),提高170.145%。结论:在模拟海拔3500m的4种低氧训练中,髙住高练低训提高大鼠脑组织线粒体呼吸链功能的作用优于髙住高练、高住低训和低住高练。     

不同低氧训练模式对大鼠血液运氧能力的影响

目的:研究三种低氧训练模式对大鼠血液运氧能力的影响。方法:70只雄性SD大鼠,经过适应性训练和力竭实验筛选出40只,平均分成4组,保证每组大鼠体重、力竭时间、力竭后血乳酸基本一致,采用双盲法分为:对照组、高住高练组、高住低练组和低住高练组。采用水平动物跑台进行耐力训练,常氧下运动强度为35m/min,低氧下运动强度为30m/min,1h/天,5天/周,持续训练6周。最后一次训练后恢复48h腹主动脉取血。采用全血分析仪测定血液RBC、Hb和Hct,分光光度计测定血液2,3-二磷酸甘油酸(2,3-DPG)含量。结果:与对照组比较,高住高练组大鼠血液RBC、Hb、Hct和2,3-DPG显著升高;高住低练组和低住高练组大鼠RBC、Hb、Hct和2,3-DPG与对照组比较无显著性差异。结果提示,就提高机体运氧能力而言,高住高练效果优于高住低练和低住高练。     

不同低氧训练对大鼠腓肠肌有氧氧化酶的影响

目的:探讨低氧训练对大鼠腓肠肌有氧氧化酶水平的影响。方法:选用6周龄雄性SD大鼠90只,经2周适应性训练后,筛选出60只,随机分为6组,每组10只:恒定负荷低住低练组(S-Lo Lo组)、恒定负荷高住低练组(S-Hi Lo组)、恒定负荷高住高练组(S-Hi Hi组)和递增负荷低住低练组(P-Lo Lo组)、递增负荷高住低练组(P-Hi Lo组)、递增负荷高住高练组(P-Hi Hi组)。采用水平动物跑台进行耐力训练。恒定负荷常氧训练强度为35 m/min,恒定负荷低氧训练强度为30 m/min。递增负荷常氧训练以35 m/min训练1周后,在第2周内分2次递增负荷强度到39 m/min,然后以此强度进行训练。递增负荷低氧训练以30 m/min训练1周后,在第2周内分2次递增负荷强度到34 m/min,然后以此强度进行训练,1 h/d,5d/w,持续4 w。各组均在4周末最后一次训练结束恢复24 h后取腓肠肌。采用半自动生化分析仪测定苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活性,紫外分光光度计测定琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活性,酶标仪测定细胞色素氧化酶(CCO)含量。结果 :1)与S-Hi Lo组相比,S-Hi Hi组大鼠腓肠肌SDH、MDH活性均非常显著性升高(P<0.01),CCO含量变化不大。2)P-Hi Hi组大鼠腓肠肌SDH活性和CCO含量较P-Hi Lo组明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),两组MDH活性无明显差异。3)与S-Hi Hi组相比,P-Hi Hi组SDH活性呈现非常显著性下降(P<0.01),MDH活性和CCO含量均无明显变化;与S-Hi Lo组相比,P-Hi Lo组SDH、MDH活性均有明显增加(P<0.01,P<0.05),CCO含量无明显变化。结论:1)无论是恒定负荷还是递增负荷高住高练均比高住低练和低住低练更能提高腓肠肌有氧代谢酶水平。2)提高腓肠肌有氧代谢酶水平的低氧训练方法中,高住高练恒定负荷比递增负荷更好;高住低练递增负荷比恒定负荷更好。     

不同负荷低氧训练对大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1α基因表达的影响

目的:探讨不同负荷低氧训练对大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1α基因表达的影响。方法:选用6周龄雄性SD大鼠90只,经2周适应性训练后,筛选出60只,随机分为6组,每组10只:恒定负荷低住低练组(S-LoLo)、恒定负荷高住高练组(S-HiHi)、恒定负荷高住低练组(S-HiLo)和递增负荷低住低练组(P-LoLo)、递增负荷高住高练组(P-HiHi)、递增负荷高住低练组(P-HiLo)。采用水平动物跑台进行耐力训练。恒定负荷常氧训练强度为35m/min,恒定负荷低氧训练强度为30m/min。递增负荷常氧训练以35m/min训练1周后,在第2周内分2次递增负荷强度到39m/min,然后以此强度进行训练。递增负荷低氧训练以30m/min训练1周后,在第2周内分2次递增负荷强度到34m/min,然后以此强度进行训练,持续4周,每周训练5 d。各组均在4周末最后一次训练结束恢复24h后取材。采用实时荧光定量PCR(RQ-PCR)技术检测腓肠肌HIF-1αmRNA水平。结果:S-HiLo组大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1αmRNA表达显著高于S-LoLo组和S-HiHi组(P<0.05,P<0.05);P-HiLo组大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1αmRNA显著低于S-HiLo组(P<0.05),P-HiHi组较S-HiHi组有所增加(+24%,P>0.05)。结论:恒定负荷高住低练比递增负荷高住低练更能促进大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1αmRNA表达;与恒定负荷高住高练相比,递增负荷高住高练对大鼠腓肠肌HIF-1αmRNA表达有一定的促进作用。     

Erythropoiesis and performance after two weeks of living high and training low in well trained triathletes

The purpose of our study was to evaluate hematologic acclimatization during 2 weeks of intensive normoxic training with regeneration at moderate altitude (living high-training low, LHTL) and its effects on sea-level performance in well trained athletes compared to another group of equally trained athletes under control conditions (living low - training low, CONTROL). Twenty-one triathletes were ascribed either to LHTL (n = 11; age: 23.0 +/- 4.3 yrs; VO 2 max: 62.5 +/- 9.7 [ml x min -1 x kg -1]) living at 1956 m of altitude or to CONTROL (n = 10; age: 18.7 +/- 5.6 yrs; VO 2 max: 60.5 +/- 6.7 ml x min -1 x kg -1) living at 800 m. Both groups performed an equal training schedule at 800 m. VO 2 max, endurance performance, erythropoietin in serum, hemoglobin mass (Hb tot, CO-rebreathing method) and hematological quantities were measured. A tendency to improved performance in LHTL after the camp was not significant (p < 0.07). Erythropoietin concentration increased temporarily in LHTL (Delta 14.3 +/- 8.7 mU x ml -1; p < 0.012). Hb tot remained unchanged in LHTL whereas was slightly decreased from 12.5 +/- 1.3 to 11.9 +/- 1.3g x kg -1 in CONTROL (p < 0.01). As the reticulocyte number tended to higher values in LHTL than in CONTROL, it seems that a moderate stimulation of erythropoiesis during regeneration at altitude served as a compensation for an exercise-induced destruction of red cells.     

Effects of intermittent hypoxia on heart rate variability during rest and exercise

Changes in heart rate variability induced by an intermittent exposure to hypoxia were evaluated in athletes unacclimatized to altitude. Twenty national elite athletes trained for 13 days at 1200 m and either lived and slept at 1200 m (live low, train low, LLTL) or between 2500 and 3000 m (live high, train low, LHTL). Subjects were investigated at 1200 m prior to and at the end of the 13-day training camp. Exposure to acute hypoxia (11.5% O(2)) during exercise resulted in a significant decrease in spectral components of heart rate variability in comparison with exercise in normoxia: total power (p < 0.001), low-frequency component. LF (p < 0.001), high-frequency component, HF (p < 0.05). Following acclimatization, the LHTL group increased its LF component (p < 0.01) and LF/HF ratio during exercise in hypoxia after the training period. In parallel, exposure to intermittent hypoxia caused an increased ventilatory response to hypoxia. Acclimatization modified the correlation between the ventilatory response to hypoxia at rest and the difference in total power between normoxia and hypoxia (r (2) = 0.65, p < 0.001). The increase in total power, LF component, and LF/HF ratio suggests that intermittent hypoxic training increased the response of the autonomic nervous system mainly through increased sympathetic activity.     

Effects of a 28-day "living high--training low" on T-lymphocyte subsets in soccer players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in T-lymphocyte subsets in soccer players during "living high--training low" (LHTL) for 28 days in comparison to equally trained control players. Sixteen male soccer players were randomly assigned into two groups. The LHTL group lived in normobaric hypoxic rooms, simulating an altitude of 3000 m for 10 hours per night for 28 days. The control group lived at sea level. Both LHTL and control groups trained together at sea level and completed the same training schedules. The blood samples were collected prior to the trial (baseline) and at 1, 14, 21 and 28 days of the trial, respectively. Lymphocyte subsets were quantitated using the recommended flow cytometry method. The results showed that the relative changes from the baseline in the CD4 (+)/CD8 (+) ratio, in both LHTL and control groups, followed a similar downward trend during the trial. However, the trend was more pronounced in the LHTL group. In the LHTL group, significant differences were seen at both 14 and 28 days compared to the baseline. In addition, a significant difference was also observed between the groups at 14 days. During LHTL, hypoxia may augment the effect which training may have on T-lymphocyte subsets after 14 days, even when training was not performed under hypoxic condition. The long term effect of LHTL was unknown at this time and needs further investigation.     

The role of haemoglobin mass on VO2max following normobaric 'live high-train low' in endurance-trained athletes

It remains unclear by which mechanism 'live high-train low' (LHTL) altitude training increases exercise performance. Haematological and skeletal muscle adaptations have both been proposed. To test the hypotheses that (i) LHTL improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) and (ii) this improvement is related to hypoxia-induced increases in total haemoglobin mass (Hb(mass)) and not to improved maximal oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle, we determined VO(2)max before LHTL and after LHTL, before and after the altitude-induced increases in Hb(mass) (measured by carbon-monoxide rebreathing) had been abolished by isovolumic haemodilution. We obtained skeletal muscle biopsies to quantify mitochondrial oxidative capacity and efficiency. Sixteen endurance-trained athletes were assigned (double-blinded, placebo controlled) to ≥16 h/day over 4 weeks to normoxia (placebo, n=6) or normobaric hypoxia equivalent to 3000 m altitude (LHTL, n=10). Four-week LHTL did not increase VO(2)max, irrespective of treatment (LHTL: 1.5%; placebo: 2.0%). Hb(mass) was slightly increased (4.6%) in 5 (of 10) LHTL subjects but this was not accompanied by a concurrent increase in VO(2)max. In the subjects demonstrating an increase in Hb(mass), isovolumic haemodilution elicited a 5.8% decrease in VO(2)max. Cycling efficiency was altered neither with time nor by LHTL. Neither maximal capacity of oxidative phosphorylation nor mitochondrial efficiency was modified by time or LHTL. The present results suggest that LHTL has no positive effect on VO(2)max in endurance-trained athletes because (i) muscle maximal oxidative capacity is not improved following LHTL and (ii) erythrocyte volume expansion after LHTL, if any, is too small to alter O(2) transport.     

Hypobaric live high‐train low does not improve aerobic performance more than live low‐train low in cross‐country skiers

Live high‐train low (LHTL ) using hypobaric hypoxia was previously found to improve sea‐level endurance performance in well‐trained individuals; however, confirmatory controlled data in athletes are lacking. Here, we test the hypothesis that natural‐altitude LHTL improves aerobic performance in cross‐country skiers, in conjunction with expansion of total hemoglobin mass (Hb_mass, carbon monoxide rebreathing technique) promoted by accelerated erythropoiesis. Following duplicate baseline measurements at sea level over the course of 2 weeks, nineteen Norwegian cross‐country skiers (three women, sixteen men, age 20 ± 2 year, maximal oxygen uptake (VO ₂max) 69 ± 5 mL/min/kg) were assigned to 26 consecutive nights spent at either low (1035 m, control, n = 8) or moderate altitude (2207 m, daily exposure 16.7 ± 0.5 hours, LHTL , n = 11). All athletes trained together daily at a common location ranging from 550 to 1500 m (21.2% of training time at 550 m, 44.2% at 550‐800 m, 16.6% at 800‐1100 m, 18.0% at 1100‐1500 m). Three test sessions at sea level were performed over the first 3 weeks after intervention. Despite the demonstration of nocturnal hypoxemia at moderate altitude (pulse oximetry), LHTL had no specific effect on serum erythropoietin, reticulocytes, Hb_mass, VO ₂max, or 3000‐m running performance. Also, LHTL had no specific effect on (a) running economy (VO ₂ assessed during steady‐state submaximal exercise), (b) respiratory capacities or efficiency of the skeletal muscle (biopsy), and (c) diffusing capacity of the lung. This study, showing similar physiological responses and performance improvements in the two groups following intervention, suggests that in young cross‐country skiers, improvements in sea‐level aerobic performance associated with LHTL may not be due to moderate‐altitude acclimatization.     

Improving athletic performance: is altitude residence or altitude training helpful?

Exercise training studies conducted at different altitudes (1250-5700 m) of varying durations (30 min to 19 wk) are critically reviewed to determine the efficacy of using altitude as a training stimulus to enhance sea level and altitude exercise performance. Four strategies are discussed: a) exercise training while residing at the same altitude; b) exercise training at altitude but residing at sea level; c) exercise training at low altitude but residing at a higher altitude; and d) exercise training under sea level and altitude conditions but only after altitude acclimatization has occurred. Residing at altitude causes a multitude of potentially beneficial physiological, ventilatory, hematological and metabolic changes that theoretically should induce a potentiating effect on endurance exercise performance. While it is accepted that endurance performance is greatly enhanced at altitude, there is less support for the view that altitude training while residing at altitude improves subsequent sea level endurance performance. There is some evidence, though also not universally accepted, that training at altitude but residing at sea level may benefit sea level endurance performance. Most recently, the combination of "living high" (e.g., at 2500 m) to obtain beneficial physiological changes associated with altitude acclimatization and "training low" (e.g., at 1250 m) to allow maintenance of high-intensity training is accumulating scientific and popular support as the most advantageous strategy to improve subsequent sea level exercise performance in well-trained, competitive runners.     

Live high-train low associated with increased haemoglobin mass as preparation for the 2003 World Championships in two native European world class runners

Background

It is unclear whether world class endurance athletes, in contrast with less well trained subjects, increase their haemoglobin mass on a regimen of living high and training low (LHTL).

Objective

To assess whether haemoglobin mass increases in world class athletes on LHTL and whether this increase is associated with peak performance at a subsequent important competition.

Methods

Two Swiss world class runners (one 5000 m and one marathon) lived for 26 days (18 hours a day) at an altitude of 2456 m and trained at 1800 m. This LHTL camp was the preparation for the World Athletic Championships taking place 27–29 days after the end of the camp. Haemoglobin mass and other haematological variables were measured before and after the LHTL camp. The performance parameter was the race times during that period.

Results

Haemoglobin mass increased by 3.9% and 7.6%, and erythrocyte volume by 5.8% and 6.3%. The race times, as well as the ranking at the World Championships, indicated clearly improved performance after the LHTL camp.

Conclusions

The results suggest that LHTL with an adequate dose of hypoxia can increase haemoglobin mass even in world class athletes, which may translate into improved performance at important competitions at sea level.     

高住高练低训对优秀女子跆拳道运动员红细胞膜及有氧能力的影响

目的:探讨高住高练低训(HiHiLo)对运动员红细胞膜和有氧能力的影响。方法:13名女子跆拳道运动员分为实验组(8名)和对照组(5名),进行4周实验。实验组每晚在低氧房(氧浓度14.7%,模拟海拔2800m高原环境)居住10小时,每周在低氧房进行3次72%最大摄氧量蹬功率自行车练习,每次30分钟;对照组平原居住,每周在平原环境进行3次80%最大摄氧量蹬功率自行车练习,每次30分钟。两组平时的专项训练由同一教练、按同一训练计划、于同一道馆进行。分别于实验前、入住10小时、实验1周、2周、3周、4周测试两组受试者血液红细胞变形指数、红细胞膜流动性、膜band-3蛋白含量以及个体无氧阈(ILT)。结果:实验组在实验3周时band-3蛋白含量显著高于实验前(P<0.05);4周时,实验组band-3蛋白含量显著高于实验前(P<0.01)和对照组(P<0.05);实验组4周时的ILT显著高于实验前(P<0.05)和对照组(P<0.01)。结论:HiHiLo可提高红细胞膜band-3蛋白含量,有利于红细胞发挥正常生理功能;HiHiLo可提高机体有氧运动能力。