Q.How do I feel the
difference? What should I expect from an IHT course? A. This is what you will notice even after the
first 2-4 sessions of IHT (15 – 20 are recommended for a
course):
Your resting heart rate (measured first thing in the morning)
will go down noticeably (typically by 3- 10 beats per minute) Weight lifting. You find yourself much more comfortable
lifting the same weights. Exercise Till Exhaustion time (ETE) will considerably
increase Time Trial . Your usual results will probably
improve in the range
of 1% - 3% Recovery time. Will decrease substantially, you
will feel less exhausted after a conventional training session
at your normal training
load Sleep and quality of life. Both will noticeably
improve.
Q.Some research finds no noticeable result
from IHT in a small group of young elite runners. Why is that? A. A common pitfall that some researchers fall
into with simulated altitude training is as follows. The “common
sense” of many trainers, athletes and even scientist is
that altitude training is “good” for an athlete’s
performance because it induces production of EPO and haemoglobin
in the body. It is true that people who live or stay at altitude
have higher levels of hemoglobin and haematocrit, and therefore
increased blood oxygen carrying capacity. However it DOES NOT
translate in practical terms into a formula that athletes at sea
level who have greater haematocrit [Hct] or haemoglobin [Hb] will
win over the competition. In reality an athlete can have the lowest
[Hb] and [Hct] in the group and be the first to cross the line,
and an athlete with the highest blood parameters can be the last
in the race.
THERE IS NO DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN YOUR HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL
AND YOUR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE.
Latest studies show that athletes initially increase their VO2max
as they start their simulated altitude training course, however
VO2max may stop raising as peak
performance is achieved.
It appears that one of the most important mechanisms of hypoxic
training is recently discovered improvement of the Mitochondrial
Status. Visual presentation
The explanation for this is simple –the body becomes more
efficient in utilizing oxygen while performing the same work.
Similarly, you would expect your car engine to consume less fuel
after maintenance and fine tuning.
Therefore the idea of using EPO as a quantifier of the efficiency
of hypoxic training at see level is not valid.
Current physiology science simply does not have readily available,
accurate and relevant parameters that could measure the improvement
– only the parameters of performance themselves, for instance
time trail or Exercise Till Exhaustion time.
One of the latest studies confirms exactly that. Exercise Till
Exhaustion (ETE) time in highly trained athletes increases by
up to 40% after an IHT
course.
The BIG question is, of course: How can intermittent
hypoxic training for an hour a day be more effective than staying
a lot longer in a hypoxic environment?
The explanation lies in the three factors
of altitude simulation that GO2Altitude® allows to optimise
and therefore reduce time of exposure. Firstly we look at the
simulated altitude, secondly the period of time and finally, the
physiological response of the body.
The simulated altitude offered by GO2Altitude®
is considerably higher than other currently available products,
requiring an increased response from the body. The period of exposure
is short and cyclic in nature, but there is an instant
change for the user from low to high oxygen concentration.
Hypoxic exposure is constantly monitored by microprocessor
controlled system and at any time you can see for yourself whether
the hypoxic stimuli are too strong or simply not enough for you,
so that you can adjust the load accordingly (as you would do in
a weight room).
Q. Since breathing
hypoxic air is a stress, will this hurt my training? A. The stress that the body experiences while breathing
hypoxic air can be considered as part of the training regime because
it has the same effect as exercise. Since we have an in-built
biological feedback into the system - you can see, whether you
overdose yourself, on the hypoxicator display. Following the supplied
training protocols and recommendations you can easily avoid overtraining.
Q. Suppose I train
twice a day ( ride in the morning, workout in the evening), could
I maintain this schedule, and do IHT after the evening workout
just before going to bed? A. You can do IHT training at any time convenient
for you. The only requirement is – REGARD IHT AS A TRAINING SESSION
and do not mix it with your other conventional training. Finish
IHT at least 1.5-2 hours before normal training and start IHT
after 1-1.5 hours after completing physical training to avoid
overtraining. Using IHT in the evening is fine (a bit tough after
a good dinner though): you will find that IHT has marked sedative
effect and will result in normalised sleep. The whole procedure
is relaxing and quite pleasant. You can watch TV or read while
your body works hard.
TRAINING PROTOCOL
Q. Can you briefly
explain the training protocol? A. You start the IHT training at a lower altitude
(higher oxygen
concentration) on day 1 and continue the IHT training at this
altitude for a few days. Then you raise the altitude one step
higher and continue for a few days at that level. You do this
until you reach the highest altitude and continue IHT training
at this level for the rest of the program. The pulse oximeter
will help you to personalise the protocol, recognising the point
at which you should progress to an increased altitude. Standard
Protocol has also been developed to suit most people. Session
duration is60 - 90 minutes per day (can be split onto two sessions).
A training course normally comprises 3-4 weeks. After that you
can continue your IHT in a maintenance mode or repeat the course
when preparing to an event.
Q. How long does it
take for the system to stabilise at the desired simulated altitude? A. Stabilisation of oxygen concentration is fully
complete in under 1 min.
Q. How do people react
to hypoxic exposure equivalent to 18,000 feet? Is it comfortable
to sit and read or is it unpleasant? A. There is a minor increase in heart rate and ventilation.
While this occurs there are no unpleasant sensations. On the contrary,
the process is relaxing and has a sedative effect on almost everyone.
Q. Does the system have fail-safes
against dangerously low levels ofoxygen? A. There is a three-fold system of safety inherent
in the machine:
Firstly, the inability of the device to create a gas mixture which
is dangerously low oxygen levels;
Secondly, the presence of the pulse oximeter which will alarm
if the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood flow falls below
a preset baseline;
Thirdly, the mask is hand-held and will fell off automatically
to return you back to the sea level in case of emergency.
Q. Does the system
have fail-safes against dangerously low levels of oxygen? A. GO2Altitude® is equipped with a patented system
to prevent the production of dangerously low oxygen air. There
is no way the user can make the system produce air with less than
8%-9% oxygen. In addition, there is a simple function check to
be carried out every time the machine is switched on. There is
a twofold system of safety inherent in the machine; firstly, the
inability of the device to create a gas mixture which is dangerous
to humans and, secondly, the presence of the pulse oximeter which
will alarm if the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood flow
falls below a preset baseline. Additionally the oxygen analyser
allows you to set the oxygen concentration with desired degree
of accuracy. Unlike other systems, once O2% is set - it stays
intact for HOURS without any noticeable change.
Q. Can you say how
much maintenance is involved? Filter changes?
A. Unlike other systems, GO2Altitude®
is effectively maintenance-free and has very low running costs
(basically cost of electricity).
Q. Can you say how much maintenance
is involved? Filter changes? A. GO2AltitudeR hypoxicators are effectively
maintenance free and running
cost is basically electricity.
Q. Can you say how
much maintenance is involved? Filter changes? A. Unlike altitude tents, the GO2Altitude® unit
is effectively maintenance free and has very low running costs.
Q. Can
you say how much maintenance is involved? Filter changes? A. GO2Altitude® does not require ANY MAINTENANCE
or FILTER changes. No need
in HEPA filters, no need in CO2 scrubber. No hidden running costs.
Q. What is the power
source? A. GO2Altitude® Hypoxic Training systems are supplied
adapted to ANY country in the world.
The only part needing replacement is the antibacterial
breathing filter (cost: $5 EA) each lasting the user’s entire
course of treatment. Five of these are supplied with the machine.
Q. You mentioned "1
common and 5 individual breathing sets". I don't understand what
the 5 represents, since it is a One-person System. Could you elaborate? A. These individual sets (breathing mask and antibacterial
filter) are needed for each person using the machine during the
course. This prevents cross infection between the users - in case
the machine is used by MULTIPLE users. The common set (breathing
bag, valves, connectors, tubing etc.) is always connected to the
machine and does not require replacement (only wear and tear).
Q. If there is only
one machine being sold, how can it serve up to four people at
one time? A. Variety of GO2altitude hypoxicator systems allow
you to select the model that most suits your needs. The portable
hypoxicator is ideal for individual use at home (can also be used
by your family or peers!), 1-Person System is great for a serious
athlete or a practice and capable of being adapted for hypoxic
exercise as well as for regular "at rest" hypoxic training. 2-
and 4-Person systems are great for a club and whole-team training,
as well as for use with hypoxia exercise adapter. In every case,
each user is individually monitored by the system and data
is displayed on individual display and can be stored in PC memory.
Q. Do I have to use
the same mask that someone else has already used? This can hardly
be hygienic. A. No, every person that uses the unit gets their
own, individual, breathing set, comprising quality oxygen mask
and antibacterial filter. We supply 5 individual breathing sets
for each station so 5 people can use the station in one day. The
4-Person unit comes with 20 breathing sets so up to 20 people
can use it in one day. At the end of IHT course (3-4 weeks) the
antibacterial filter is disposed of and the mask may be disinfected
for the next user. More individual breathing sets can be purchased
if needed (cost is insignificant).
Q. "PC software is
supplied with the system". What does it actually do? A. PC software is supplied with ALL go2altitude models
as part of the package (with free upgrades when available). As
go2altitude machines are completely self-sufficient - the PC software
is supplied in case you are interested to monitor your training
in a more sophisticated manner, plus record your sessions and
compare day 1 with day X. Sample of the monitoring screen is shown
below. You can see how quickly a person's arterial oxygen saturation
(SpO2, blue curve) starts to decline (1-2 min) once the breathing
of 10% oxygen air commences (pink line at the bottom). SpO2 recovers
almost instantly as soon as you revert onto ambient air (green
line at the bottom of the graph). Heart rate changes (in this
individual) almost un-noticeable. Data is automatically stored
in the individual's file and available for review and printout
later.
PURCHASE
Q. I would like to
purchase the hypoxicator. What do I do? A. E-mail, phone or FAX us indicating the type of
model you are interested in and country of your residence. We
shall quote you the price (may differ from country to country).
Should you accept the quote - we will send you a Proforma Invoice
and Order Form. You can pay by credit card or send us a cheque,
however Wire Transfer is preferable, since it will speed up the
process of shipment of the system to you. PURCHASE
NOW
Q. What else should
I buy to get the GO2Altitude unit up and running? A. GO2Altitude® is supplied with everything you
need to start your training immediately upon its receipt. Therefore
you get the complete turnkey solution for your home simulated
Altitude Training - unpack the system, carefully read the manual,
and start your training immediately.
Q. What is your normal
lead- time? A. Normally 1-5 days.
