Time course of the hemoglobin mass response to natural altitude training in elite endurance cyclists

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2012 Feb;22(1):95-103. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01145.x. Epub 2010 Jun 18.

Abstract

To determine the time course of hemoglobin mass (Hb(mass)) to natural altitude training, Hb(mass), erythropoietin [EPO], reticulocytes, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were measured in 13 elite cyclists during, and 10 days after, 3 weeks of sea level (n=5) or altitude (n=8, 2760 m) training. Mean Hb(mass), with a typical error of ∼2%, increased during the first 11 days at altitude (mean ± standard deviation 2.9 ± 2.0%) and was 3.5 ± 2.5% higher than baseline after 19 days. [EPO] increased 64.2 ± 18.8% after 2 nights at altitude but was not different from baseline after 12 nights. Hb(mass) and [EPO] did not increase in sea level. Reticulocytes (%) were slightly elevated in altitude at Days 5 and 12 (18.9 ± 17.7% and 20.4 ± 25.3%), sTfR was elevated at Day 12 (18.9 ± 15.0%), but both returned to baseline by Day 20. Hb(mass) and [EPO] decreased on descent to sea level while ferritin increased. The mean increase in Hb(mass) observed after 11 days (∼300 h) of altitude training was beyond the measurement error and consitent with the mean increase after 300 h of simulated live high:train low altitude. Our results suggest that in elite cyclists, Hb(mass) increases progressively with 3 weeks of natural altitude exposure, with greater increases expected as exposure persists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Altitude*
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Erythropoietin / blood
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Ferritins / blood
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Transferrin / blood
  • Reticulocytes
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Erythropoietin
  • Ferritins