Effects of a 12-day "live high, train low" camp on reticulocyte productionand haemoglobin mass in elite female road cyclists

The aim of this study was to document the effect of "living high, training low" on the red blood cell production of elite female cyclists. Six members of the Australian National Women's road cycling squad slept for 12 nights at a simulated altitude of 2650 m in normobaric hypoxia (HIGH), while 6 tea m-mates slept at an altitude of 600 m (CONTROL). HIGH and CONTROL subjects trained and raced as a group throughout the 70-day study. Baseline levels o f reticulocyte parameters sensitive to changes in erythropoeisis were measu red 21 days and 1 day prior to sleeping in hypoxia (D1 and D20, respectivel y). These measures were repeated after 7 nights (D27) and 12 nights (D34) o f simulated altitude exposure, and again 15 days (D48) and 33 days (D67) af ter leaving the altitude house. There was no increase in reticulocyte produ ction, nor any change in reticulocyte parameters in either the HIGH or CONT ROL groups. This lack of haematological response was substantiated by total haemoglobin mass measures (CO-rebreathing), which did not change when meas ured on D1, D20, D34 or D67. We conclude that in elite female road cyclists , 12 nights of exposure to normobaric hypoxia (2650 m) is not sufficient to either stimulate reticulocyte production or increase haemoglobin mass.