Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2019
Hematological, inflammatory, and hypoxia-responsive adaptations to 18-day normobaric live high-train low training in
Anna Kasperska1, Hanna Dziewiecka1, Wojciech Jankowski1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
Introduction:
The Live High-Train Low (LH-TL) altitude training method may stimulate erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, contributing to hematological and physiological adaptations. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 18-day LH-TL protocol on hematological, inflammatory, and hypoxia-responsive biomarkers in elite rowers.
Methods:
Thirteen national-level male rowers were assigned to a hypoxic group (H; n = 8) or a control group (C; n = 5). The H group lived in normobaric hypoxic rooms for 18 days while training in normoxia. Levels of EPO, VEGF, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured along with hematological parameters at baseline, after 6, 12, and 18 days.
Results:
EPO levels were higher in the hypoxic group after 18 days compared with the control group. Reticulocyte counts increased after 6 days (15.0 ± 6.2‰) and remained elevated after 18 days, indicating an early erythropoietic response. Hemoglobin showed a non-significant increasing trend, while hematocrit values were significantly higher in the hypoxic group after 18 days. RBC counts remained stable in the hypoxic group, while a slight decline was observed in the control group. VEGF concentrations did not change significantly over time or between groups, although a transient increase was observed around day 12. CRP levels increased after 6 and 18 days, indicating a transient inflammatory response without clinical signs of infection. WBC counts showed a significant group × time interaction, suggesting subtle modulation of immune function in response to LH-TL. CK levels decreased initially but increased again after 18 days, without evidence of excessive muscle damage.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that the LH-TL protocol induces moderate hematological and inflammatory responses in elite rowers. LH-TL may support physiological adaptations relevant to endurance capacity; however, it also represents an additional physiological load that should be carefully monitored during training. Importantly, due to the absence of direct performance measures, the results should be interpreted in terms of physiological adaptations rather than improvements in athletic performance.Trial registration ID: NCT06264193.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Factors 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...
01:26Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:23Hypoxia
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...