Victoria Kuritza

Gabrielle Kuhn

Landon Kunzelman

Jonathan Knisley

Athletes in different sports are interested in the benefits of altitude training. The idea is that training in altitude increases red blood cell numbers which results in increased hemoglobin saturation and oxygen delivery to muscles.

In the article cited below, the researchers were interested in investigating these concepts as they apply to swimming. They measured how the swimmers' bodies dealt with exercise-induced oxidative stress. Among their findings, they found that for experienced swimmers training at altitude at a moderate pace, antioxident enzymes are mobilized and delivered to the mitochonria to assist with oxidative stress at an increased rate. 

In our M1 physiology class we discussed the body's compensatory mechanisms during exercise such as increased arterial bloodflow and right shift of oxygen-hemoglobin curve (lower Hb affinity for oxygen). This study illustrates another compensatory mechanism in response to hypoxic exercise.

Casuso Rafael A., Aragón-Vela Jerónimo, López-Contreras Gracia, Gomes Silvana N., Casals Cristina, Barranco-Ruiz Yaira, Mercadé Jordi J., and Huertas Jesus R.. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. December 2016, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/ham.2016.0046.

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/ham.2016.0046