Originally Posted by
GeorgeBMac
Yes, I agree that transport is part of the process -- and an important one. But my point was that one of their variables was in fact restriction of O2 input by increasing the elevation:
"Five athletes cycled for 3 min at supramaximal
power outputs, at each of two different elevations (1000 m and 2100 m)."
And, yes, their main outcome was an indirect factor of transport:
"Despite similar
degrees of arterial desaturation, only the hypoxaemia induced by exercise was associated with
an increase in serum Epo."
But, that is the danger of these highly controlled studies because it is well known that those who actually live at O2 depleted higher altitudes compensate for it via increased levels of hematocrit/hemoglobin to more efficiently transport the reduced quantity of oxygen they are able to bring in...
So, what did the study prove? Perhaps simply that exercise induced hypoxemia stimulates the production of EPO...
Exactly. We were trying to verify their results, but were unable to do so. Typical, eh?
The problem with trying to use altitude to increase EPO is that exercise capacity is reduced at altitude, so living and training at altitude results in reduced performance at lower elevations. Then upon returning to lower elevation, the body immediately scavanges out the unnecessary RBCs. It takes ~2 weeks for even a Tibetan to de-acclimatize. Ordinary folks much quicker.