Schick, R., Hutler, M., Dehnert, C., Steinacker, J. M., & Boning, D. (1998). "Living high--training low" effects on oxygen affinity of hemoglobin. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 1087.

Living high and training low is touted as being advantageous over normal training. Dual- and triathletes (N = 21) were divided into two groups and performed standardized training for 14 days. The living high--training low (LH; N = 11) group lived at 2000 m and trained at 800 m. The control group (N = 10) lived and trained at 800 m.

It was found that there were no differences in the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin between the two groups. Any performance benefits attributed to living high and training low should be accounted for by other factors.

Implication. Living high and training low does not affect the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.

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