Puranen, A. S., & Rusko, H. K. (1996). On- and off-responses of EPO, reticulocytes, 2,3-DPG and plasma volume to living high, training low. Medicine and Science in Exercise and Sports, 28(5), Supplement abstract 947.

Five male endurance athletes lived for five days in a normobaric hypoxic (O2 15.3% -- 2,500 m) environment. A control group of two male PE students and three endurance athletes was also constituted. No attempt to control the training of either group was reported.

The Live-high Train-low group showed almost immediate stimulation of EPO and reticulocyte count with plasma volume and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate responding slightly slower. Upon exiting the hypoxic living, all variables returned to sea-level values very quickly with reticulocyte count being slower and still elevated after 2-3 of return.

Implication. Although a control group was used in this study, its use to control possible influential variables (such as training) was not reported. At best, the potential for living-high and training-low was suggested but better controlled studies need to be performed to clearly support the procedure.

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