Roberts, A. D., Martin, D. T., Gore, C. J., Hahn, A. G., Lee, H., Gawthorn, K. M., Dixon, J., Clark, S., & Slater, G. (2000). Live high:train low altitude exposure enhances anaerobic energy capacity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 56.

Well-trained endurance athletes (13 male triathletes; 11 female road cyclists) served as subjects. A control group (C) and a live-high/train-low group (HiLo) of mixed gender were formed. Ss were measured for VO2max and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit. The C group lived and trained at 610 m. The HiLo group lived 8-10 hours per night in normobaric hypoxia at simulated altitudes of 2,650-3,000 m for 12 nights.

VO2max did not change in either group during training alone or training plus exposure. While the C group did not change in the anaerobic measure, the HiLo group did.

Implication. HiLo exposure does not increase VO2max, but does increase anaerobic energy system capacity.

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