Altitude training, also known as hypoxic exposure training, has long been linked to improved performance in terms of raw training. It’s believed that the altitude exposure results in less oxygen available in the system, and lower partial pressure of oxygen within the bloodstream. The lower pressure of the oxygen in the blood leads the kidneys to produce erythropoietin (EPO) which itself stimulates the bone marrow to create more red blood cells, and therefore increasing the amount of blood and subsequent oxygen that’s in the system.
For those wanting to test altitude training for the first time, there are a few different types that are worth trying.
LHTH Training (Live High, Train High)
This kind of training is the most traditional, and initial studies done on this training did show some performance improvements, but ultimately it’s best avoided as newer, more recent studies have shown that it has almost no significant affect on how well we train, and a local environment is probably best for training before heading home for dinner or a game of real money slots Canada.
LLTH Training (Live Low, Train High)
This is one aimed at those that live at sea level and are able to travel out to higher altitudes to perform their training. Of course, this is a situation that most are not able to accommodate, as the financial costs of travelling for training sessions makes it impossible to accomplish, so the next best alternative is to train in a synthesized altitude facility or under hypoxic training conditions. The most common type is the oxygen masks, which simulate the amount of oxygen in the environment at different levels of altitude, and it’s something that’s seen often among professional athletes training for an upcoming event.
Almost every type of LLTH training is performed within an indoor environment, and the equipment for home use can become extremely expensive. LLTH has not received much study, and at the moment there are not many pointers to the fact that athletes will perform better after training in a synthetic altitude environment. Despite this, it has been shown that athletes that train in this environment perform significantly better when participating in a race or event that takes place in a higher altitude as it prepares the body for the change in altitude, making it easier for oxygen to be created and circulated sufficiently. It’s also recommended for those competing at a more professional level, as the change in altitude is associated with dizziness and sometimes even fainting as the body is subject to lower than normal amounts of oxygen.
LHTL Training (Live High, Train Low)
On the other end of the spectrum we have LHTL training, which was once seen as the most favourable among the different models. A study suggested that this is the best training for athletes that want to perform better, and saw increases in red blood cell counts and haemoglobin mass. Like LHTH training, this one may be expensive and difficult to accomplish, which has led to many athletes sleeping in a hypoxic tent at night.