Exercise at Altitude Stress of Altitude Oxygen loading Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve Mexico City Mt Everest

Acclimatization Is the adaptive responses in physiology and metabolism that improves tolerance to altitude hypoxia Immediate and long term adjustments 2 weeks for 2300 m Additional week for each 610 m

Immediate-Pulmonary Hyperventilation Body fluids become more alkaline due to reduction in CO2

Immediate-Cardiovascular Increase in submax HR Increase in submax CO SV same or lower Max CO remains the same or lower

Long Term-Pulmonary Hyperventilation Excretion of base via Kidneys Reduction of alkaline reserve

Long Term-Cardiovascular Submax HR elevated Submax CO falls SV lowers Max CO lowers

Long Term-Hematological Decrease plasma volume Increase hematocrit Increase hemoglobin concentration Increase number of RBC Increased capillarization

Long Term-Local Increased RBC 2,3-DPG Increased Mitochondria Increased aerobic enzymes Loss of body weight Loss of lean body mass

Medical Problems Acute Mountain Sickness High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema High-Altitude Cerebral Edema

Exercise Capacity Aerobic Capacity is reduced % for every 305 meter increase above 1524 meters Aerobic Capacity remains reduced even several months after acclimatization

Altitude Training and Sea level Performance VO2 max on return to sea level No improvement Reduction in Max CO offsets blood’s greater O2 carrying capacity Can not train at same intensity of VO2 max No difference between AT vs. Sea Level