The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of “living in normobaric hypoxia, training in normoxia (LH- TN)” on erythropoiesis and exercise capacity at sea level. Over 14 days, LH-TN group (n=5) spent in a normobaric hypoxic house that simulated as altitude of 2,500m (15.4%O₂) for 10-12 h per night. CONTROL group (n=5) spent in normoxic condition. Both groups undertook the same training at sea level. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), reticulocyte (Ret), and erythropoietin (EPO) were measured over experimental period. Maximal exercise test were also performed before and after experimental period. In the LH-TN group, EPO and Ret increased significantly on the 1st (24.6mU/ml) and 3rd day (23.8mU/ml), and on the 10th (1.1%) and 14th day (1.1%) of the hypoxic exposure, respectively. VO₂max and VEmax in LH-TN group were significantly increased by 6% and 13% after the 7th day. The data indicate that LH-TN for 14days would be insufficient to increase RBC or HGB, but it could stimulate erythropoiesis, and improve the aerobic performance at sea level.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.23/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE