Researchers found that IHT technique allowed adaptation to altitude to occur with less stress to the body than continuous exposure to low oxygen. Because the dose and the blood oxygen levels are totally controlled, there is no danger of altitude sickness. The intermittent nature of the hypoxic exposure means the adaptation to lowland is not lost, as is the case in normal acclimatisation to altitude.
Adaptation to intermittent hypoxia has the unique attribute of activating the body’s own internal production of antioxidants in the brain, liver and heart as a result of the frequently repeated re-oxygenation that occurs on breathing room air. This differs from continuous hypoxia, which actually reduces antioxidants because of the decreased need for them in low-oxygen environments.