Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2019
Does intermittent hypoxia increase erythropoiesis in professional cyclists during a 3-week race?
José G Villa1, Alejandro Lucía, José A Marroyo
1Dept. of Physical Education, Univ. of León, León, Spain.
Abstract:
In this study we examined the effects of intermittent hypoxia exposure (IHE) in a group of professional cyclists (n = 6; age 26 +/- 1 yr) competing in the 2001 Vuelta a España. After each daily stage, treated subjects received four 5-min bouts of normobaric IHE (mean O2 concentration of 12.6%, simulating a mean altitude of 4,000 m) interspersed with 5-min bouts of breathing hotel room air (normoxia) until completing a total IHE of 20-min duration. The primary outcome, compared to a control group of similar characteristics not receiving IHE (n = 5; age 25 +/- 1 yr), was the % increase in erythropoietin (Epo) from the beginning to the end of the Vuelta. Statistical analysis showed that Epo increase tended to be higher (p = 0.052) in the IHE group than in controls (37.4 +/- 5.8% vs. -4.4 +/- 19.5%, respectively). However IHE had no effect on reticulocytes or erythrocyte count (p > 0.05).
More Related Videos
05:45Delivery of In Vivo Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents to Prime Subventricular Zone-derived Neural Progenitor Cell Cultures
Published on: November 2, 2015
09:33Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Wearable Devices to Identify Central Versus Peripheral Limitations During Exercise
Published on: December 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Erythropoiesis
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...