Jan 2

Nishiwaki M, Kawakami R, Saito K, Tamaki H, Takekura H, Ogita F.

Graduate School of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Japan.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of exercise training in hypoxia on arterial stiffness and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in postmenopausal women. Sixteen postmenopausal women (56 ± 1 years) were assigned to a normoxic exercise group (Normoxic group, n = 8) or a hypoxic exercise group (Hypoxic group, n = 8). The Hypoxic group performed exercise under hypobaric hypoxic conditions corresponding to 2000 m above sea level, and was exposed to these conditions for 2 h per session. Aquatic exercise was performed at an intensity of around 50% peak oxygen uptake for 30 min, 4 days per week, for 8 weeks. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and FMD was evaluated by peak diameter of the popliteal artery during reactive hyperemia. After the 8 weeks of training, the Normoxic group showed no significant changes. In contrast, baPWV (P < 0.05) was significantly reduced and peak diameter (P < 0.05) and %FMD (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in the Hypoxic group after training. These results suggest that exercise training under mild intermittent hypoxic conditions could more effectively reduce arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women, compared with exercise training performed at the same relative intensity under normoxic conditions. Our data also indicate that hypoxic exercise training may induce vascular functional adaptation, for example an increase in FMD response. These findings therefore could have important implications for the development of a new effective exercise prescription program.

J Physiol Sci. 2010 Dec 22.

Dec 24

Dual international Mat Rogers was “gripped by terror” as a Gold Coast boat cruise with former rugby league teammates and friends almost ended in tragedy at the weekend.

Rogers was one of 10 people, including two children, on a 10-metre boat with former Titans teammate Greg Bird, TV personality Matt Johns and international cyclist Robbie McEwen, when passengers began losing consciousness after inhaling toxic carbon monoxide fumes.

The passengers were inhaling the undetectable gas from exhaust fumes building up in the boat and six of the nine on board, including Johns and Bird, collapsed.

He and McEwen are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a passenger who fell overboard during the drama.

“There was a time on the boat I felt terrified and powerless to do anything,” the recently retired rugby league star told AAP on Wednesday.

“I was pretty messed up for a time. I slipped off my chair and ended up on the ground but I don’t think I lost complete consciousness.

“It was frightening.

“I was standing there thinking `what’s happening, what’s happening’, it was like something out of a movie.

“I remember I had my phone in my hand and I was looking at it wondering what I was going to do with it, I couldn’t even make a phone call.”

Despite his confused state, Rogers leapt into the water to help a man who’d fallen off the back of the boat after blacking out just off Sanctuary Cove.

He and McEwen, whose high altitude training and superior oxygen levels helped him cope with the situation better than other passengers, kept the unconscious passenger’s head above water until help arrived.

FULL TEXT

Dec 16

by

Haider, Thomas; Casucci, Gaia; Linser, Tobias; Faulhaber, Martin; Gatterer, Hannes; Ott, Guenter; Linser, Armin; Ehrenbourg, Igor; Tkatchouk, Elena; Burtscher, Martin; Bernardi, Luciano

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with cardiac autonomic nervous system dysregulation. This study evaluates the effects of interval hypoxic training on cardiovascular and respiratory control in patients with mild COPD.

Methods: In 18 eucapnic normoxic mild COPD patients (age 51.7 ± 2.4 years, mean ± SEM), randomly assigned to either training or placebo group, and 14 age-matched healthy controls (47.7 ± 2.8 years), we monitored end-tidal carbon dioxide, airway flow, arterial oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, and continuous noninvasive blood pressure at rest, during progressive hypercapnic hyperoxia and isocapnic hypoxia to compare baroreflex sensitivity to hypoxia and hypercapnia before and after 3 weeks of hypoxic training. In double-blind fashion, both groups received 15 sessions of passive intermittent hypoxia (training group) or normoxia (placebo group). For the hypoxia group, each session consisted of three to five hypoxic (15-12% oxygen) periods (3-5 min) with 3-min normoxic intervals. The placebo group inhaled normoxic air.

Results: Before training, COPD patients showed depressed baroreflex sensitivity, as compared with healthy individuals, without evident chemoreflex abnormalities. After training, in contrast to placebo group, the training group showed increased (P < 0.05) baroreflex sensitivity up to normal levels and selectively increased hypercapnic ventilatory response (P < 0.05), without changes in hypoxic ventilatory response.

Conclusion: Eucapnic normoxic mild COPD patients already showed signs of cardiovascular autonomic abnormalities at baseline, which normalized with hypoxic training. If confirmed in more severe patients, interval hypoxic training may be a therapeutic strategy to rebalance early autonomic dysfunction in COPD patients.

http://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/2009/08000/Interval_hypoxic_training_improves_autonomic.21.aspx

Nov 20
Fitness & Training
icon1 admin | icon2 Equine training, Mountaineering, Sports | icon4 11 20th, 2010| icon3Comments Off

GO2Altitude has a publication section which includes articles on altitude training from various magazines.

Fitness & Training

Introduction

The Australian Sports Commission or the Australian Institute of Sport does not provide personal fitness or training programs. For an individually tailored program contact a coach or fitness centre in your area. For contact details of sporting organisations that may be able to direct you to the closest coach within Australia, try our directories page . Before undertaking any training or fitness program you should first check with your physician, and also verify with a professional the appropriateness of the program for you.

http://www.ausport.gov.au/information/finding_sport_information/topic/fitness

Nov 4
Authors:

Sebastien Libicz, Belle Roels, Gregoire P Millet

Impact factor: 1.3, Cited half life: 5.8

Journal: Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquée

While the physiological adaptations following endurance training are relatively well understood, in swimming there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the metabolic responses to interval training (IT). The hypothesis tested predicted that two different endurance swimming IT sets would induce differences in the total time the subjects swam at a high percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max). Ten trained triathletes underwent an incremental test to exhaustion in swimming so that the swimming velocity associated with VO(2)max (vVO(2)max) could be determined. This was followed by a maximal 400-m test and two intermittent sets at vVO(2)max: (a) 16 x 50 m with 15-s rest (IT(50)); (b) 8 x 100 m with 30-s rest (IT(100)). The times sustained above 95% VO(2)max (68.50 +/- 62.69 vs. 145.01 +/- 165.91 sec) and 95% HRmax (146.67 +/- 131.99 vs. 169.78 +/- 203.45 sec, p = 0.54) did not differ between IT(50) and IT(100)(values are mean +/- SD). In conclusion, swimming IT sets of equal time duration at vVO(2)max but of differing work-interval durations led to slightly different VO(2)and HR responses. The time spent above 95% of VO(2)max was twice as long in IT(100) as in IT (50), and a large variability between mean VO(2)and HR values was also observed.
Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquée. 01/11/2005; 30(5):543-53.
ISSN: 1066-7814

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/7474551_VO2_responses_to_intermittent_swimming_sets_at_velocity_associated_with_VO2max

Oct 21

By Brendan Gallagher

With the next year’s Tour de France spending a significant time 2000 metres above sea level next year Dave Brailsford, the team principal at Team Sky, has asked his sports scientist to overhaul his their training schedule for riding at such altitude.

A failure to ride competitively on the very highest reaches of this year’s mountain stages was quickly identified as the root cause for Bradley Wiggins being unable to get on terms with the main yellow jersey contenders and was already being looked into by Brailsford and his team.

Although Sky trained on all of the highest climbs in this year’s Tour, unlike most teams they did not organise long camps at altitude before the three-week race, but it is something they are seriously considering for 2011.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/8075275/Tour-de-France-2011-Team-Sky-preparing-for-altitude-training-ahead-of-Alpine-endeavours.html

Oct 17

Authors:

Belle Roels, Grégoire P Millet, Christophe J L Marcoux, Olivier Coste, David J Bentley, Robin B Candau

Impact factor: 2.86, Cited half life: 7.8, Immediacy index: 0.46

Journal: Medicine &amp Science in Sports &amp Exercise

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intermittent hypoxic interval training improves sea level cycling performance more than equivalent training in hypoxia or normoxia. METHODS: Thirty-three well-trained cyclists and triathletes (25.9 +/- 2.7 yr, VO(2max) 66.1 +/- 6.1 mL.min(-1).kg(-1)) were divided into three groups: intermittent hypoxic (IHT, N = 11, P(I)O(2) of 100 mm Hg), intermittent hypoxic interval training (IHIT, N = 11) and normoxia (Nor, N = 11, P(I)O(2) of 160 mm Hg) and completed a 7-wk training program, consisting of two high-intensity (100 or 90% relative peak power output) interval training sessions each week. Each interval training session was performed in a laboratory on the subject’s own bicycle, in normoxic or hypoxic conditions for the Nor and the IHT group, respectively. The IHIT group performed warm-up and cool-down plus recovery from each interval in hypoxic conditions. In contrast to IHT, interval exercise bouts were performed in normoxic conditions. RESULTS: Mean power output during a 10-min cycle time trial improved after the first 4 wk of training by 5.2 +/- 3.9, 3.7 +/- 5.9, and 5.0 +/- 3.4% for IHIT, IHT, and Nor, respectively, without significant differences between groups. Moreover, mean power output did not show any significant improvement in the following 3 wk in any group. VO(2max) (L.min(-1)) increased only in IHIT during the training period (8.7 +/- 9.1%; P < 0.05). No changes in cycling efficiency or in hematological variables (P > 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of interval training induced an improvement in endurance performance. However, short-term exposure to hypoxia (approximately 114 min.wk(-1)) did not elicit a greater increase in performance or any hematological modifications.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 01/01/2005; 37(1):138-46.

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/8097717_Effects_of_hypoxic_interval_training_on_cycling_performance

Oct 7

Oct 06,2010 - Dubai, UAE – 6 October, 2010: For decades, spending time in high altitude conditions has been the most successful natural method to effectively enhance oxygen absorption, transport and utilisation by the body. With the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome one of the highest in the world, discoveries in molecular medicine showing the enormous potential in targeted usage of high altitude climate conditions allows for new strategies for therapy and prevention of the disease in the UAE.

According the Dr Richard Reyes, founder and medical director of the Reyes Longevity Programme, there is a well defined sequence of molecular events which result in the correction of the components of the metabolic syndrome; high cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, low HDL, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

“The main difference in high altitudes compared to sea level conditions is the decreasing air pressure with increasing height,” says Dr Reyes. “As the air gets ‘thinner’ and the body absorbs less oxygen, the heart rate and breathing increases. The low oxygen saturation in the blood, also known as hypoxia, causes a chain of positive biological adaptations. An increase in red blood cell production, better utilisation of nutrients in muscles and tissues, increased economy of the cardiovascular system and the optimisation of the heart rate at rest are only a few examples of how high altitude conditions can work towards correcting the components of the metabolic syndrome.”

Dr Reyes will be speaking at the 3rd International Congress in Aesthetic, Anti-Aging Medicine & Medical Spa Middle East (ICAAM), which will be held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, UAE from 26 to 27 November 2010. Leading experts in aesthetics and anti-aging medicine will be on site to demonstrate latest techniques and showcase latest anti-aging research such as the use of high-altitude climate to correct the metabolic syndrome.

“Changes in response to high altitude can be seen after just one or two hours of training exposure per week,” says Dr Reyes. “Correcting the disrupted metabolic process can go a long way towards slowing down the aging process. Cellular aging is understood in part to be due to the accumulation of the effects of oxidative stress and free radical formation. Exposure to altitude counteracts both of these – it is well recognised that people who live in the mountains have longer lives than those at sea level.”

http://bignews.biz/?id=925256

Oct 6
Authors:

Rémi Mounier, Vincent Pialoux, Anne Cayre, Laurent Schmitt, Jean-Paul Richalet, Paul Robach, Françoise Lasne, Belle Roels, Grégoire Millet, Jean Coudert, Eric Clottes, Nicole Fellmann

Impact factor: 2.86, Cited half life: 7.8, Immediacy index: 0.46

Journal: Medicine &amp Science in Sports &amp Exercise

PURPOSE: Altitude training is popular among athletes to augment oxygen delivery capabilities to tissues and to improve physical performance. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) controls the expression of several genes’ encoding involved in physiological responses towards reduced oxygen availability, in particular by increasing serum erythropoietin (EPO). It may be involved in the individual variability for erythropoietic markers and/or sea-level performance of athletes using altitude during their training. Therefore, we investigated whether, before training, evolutions of hif-1alpha and ahif (HIF-1alpha natural antisense) transcript amounts and HIF-1alpha protein quantities in leukocytes measured during an acute hypoxia normobaric test (3 h at 3000 m at rest) could allow to predict poor and good responders for hematological markers after a “living high-training low” protocol. METHODS: Eighteen elite swimmers were divided into two groups that followed a 13-d training program: “living low-training low” (1200 m) (LL) or “living high (2500-3000 m)-training low (1200 m)” (LH). RESULTS: During the initial hypoxia test, a strong interindividual variability in the amounts of HIF-1alpha mRNA, aHIF transcript, and HIF-1alpha protein was observed in athlete leukocytes (after vs before): -82%/+396%, -100%/+229%, and -100%/+633%, respectively. After the test, serum erythropoietin concentration was increased (11.2 +/- 0.8 vs 9.8 +/- 0.8 IU.L(-1); +18%, P = 0.01). After the training protocol, total red cell volume (+7.6%, P = 0.04) and circulating hemoglobin amount (48.8 +/- 2.8 vs 45.5 +/- 3.0 mmol; i.e., +7.9%, P = 0.02) were significantly augmented in LH. CONCLUSION: We conclude that hif-1alpha gene expression quantification in leukocytes after a 3-h hypoxia test performed before training does not predict poor and good responder athletes to “living high-training low” model.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 01/09/2006;

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/6899290_Leukocyte%27s_Hif-1_expression_and_training-induced_erythropoietic_response_in_swimmers

Oct 3

By: Mona Brown

October 1, 2010

In recent months FAA Administrator Babbitt has promoted specific tailored hypoxia training, along with high-altitude handling, for commercial and private pilots who want to fly at high altitude. Indeed, FAA Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14CFR) establishes mandatory requirements for high-altitude training using military altitude chambers at 15 U.S. locations, but few chambers are available for candidates in other countries and theoretical presentation is often the limit of studies. However, Biomedtech Australia at Moorabbin, Melbourne, has developed a range of hypoxicators under the trademarks of “go2altitude” and “Altipower” that can provide an acceptable alternative to training in the chamber.

In the last 30 years several accidents have highlighted the importance of hypoxia training. On Sept. 25, 1979, an instructor and student on type conversion were killed in the crash of Beech King Air 200 G-BGHR. Investigators blamed the accident on oxygen system failure. Two decades later, on Oct. 25, 1999, Learjet 35 N47BA crashed, killing the crew and four passengers, including golfer Payne Stewart. The accident was attributed to the airplane’s failure to pressurize. The Sept. 4, 2000, crash of Beech Super King Air 200 VH-SKC killed the pilot and seven passengers. Investigators attributed the accident to a pressurization failure. Finally, a Boeing 737 (5B-DBY) crashed Aug. 14, 2005, killing the crew and 115 passengers. Failure to pressurize was listed as the cause.

The Greek AAIASB report into the 737 accident includes a recommendation that “EASA/JAA should require practical hypoxia training as a mandatory part of flight crew and cabin crew training. This training should include the use of recently developed hypoxia training tools that reduce the amount of oxygen a trainee receives while wearing a mask and performing tasks.” The Biomedtech system was demonstrated to airline personnel at a CAA seminar as an option for hypoxia training.

Researchers were already studying hypoxia before World War I, but it was not until the mid-1930s that the Mayo Clinic investigated the effect of varying the oxygen proportion of air supplied to a pilot’s mask. Unfortunately, it was impossible to measure gas proportions accurately, and the results were inconclusive.

After the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City it became obvious that athletes who trained at high altitude had a significant advantage over those who had trained at lower levels, and Simon Bassovitch of Biomedtech Australia at Moorabbin, Melbourne, started to research the feasibility of providing a portable simulated high-altitude training environment for athletes.

The result was called “hy­­poxicators” and by 1992 Bassovitch specialized in the supply of these systems, which varied the ratio of oxygen to nitrogen to achieve a particular altitude. These hypoxicators–used by athletes worldwide–can help pilots recognize hypoxia without the use of an altitude chamber. Using membrane technology to vary the required oxygen/nitrogen mix, Biomedtech has eliminated the need for cumbersome gas cylinders. The examinee has to hold a breathing mask to his face, experiencing all symptoms of oxygen starvation while being asked to carry out various exercises. All test results are recorded automatically and copies are presented to the candidate in written or DVD form.

Since there is no requirement to have an altitude chamber, trainees need not meet the medical standards required to experience explosive decompression, providing greater flexility of operation.

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