The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming training under the simulated altitude on the swimmers' oxygen intake and delivery capacity. Subjects were 15 healthy students, aged 18-21. The subjects were exposed to altitude hypoxia equivalent to 3000-3500m above sea level for 3 hours a day, 6 days a week for four months. After one hour acclimatization, subjects repeated 10-min submaximal swim (RPE 15-18) in the swim-mill for 2 hours.
　Decrease in pH, PO₂ and increase in PCO₂ in venous blood gases and decrease in pH and increase in PO₂ and PCO₂ in arterial bloodgases were observed after the swim, which suggested that the subjects' oxygen delivery system was fully stimulated. HR during the swim in the altitude hypoxia showed higher value than that at sea level. Aerobic work capacity was determined by treadmill exercise, and though no significant changes were found in HR and VO₂ after training, increase in O₂-R was observed. From these results, it might be suggested that 4 month hypoxic swimming training allowed subjects to perform the exercise with less O₂ intake.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.8/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE