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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Time course of haemoglobin mass during 21 days live high:train low simulated altitude
Sally A Clark1, M J Quod, M A Clark
1Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen, ACT, 2616, Australia. sally.clark@ausport.gov.au
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the time course of changes in haemoglobin mass (Hb(mass)) in well-trained cyclists in response to live high:train low (LHTL). Twelve well-trained male cyclists participated in a 3-week LHTL protocol comprising 3,000 m simulated altitude for ~14 h/day. Prior to LHTL duplicate baseline measurements were made of Hb(mass), maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) and serum erythropoietin (sEPO). Hb(mass) was measured weekly during LHTL and twice in the week thereafter. There was a 3.3% increase in Hb(mass) and no change in VO(2max) after LHTL. The mean Hb(mass) increased at a rate of ~1% per week and this was maintained in the week after cessation of LHTL. The sEPO concentration peaked after two nights of LHTL but there was only a trivial correlation (r = 0.04, P = 0.89) between the increase in sEPO and the increase in Hb(mass). Athletes seeking to gain erythropoietic benefits from moderate altitude need to spend >12 h/day in hypoxia.
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