title: Same Performance Changes after Live High-Train Low in Normobaric vs. Hypobaric Hypoxia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the changes in physiological and performance parameters after a Live High-Train Low (LHTL) altitude camp in normobaric (NH) or hypobaric hypoxia (HH) to reproduce the actual training practices of endurance athletes using a crossover-designed study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Well-trained triathletes (n = 16) were split into two groups and completed two 18-day LTHL camps during which they trained at 1100-1200 m and lived at 2250 m (P i O2 = 111.9 ± 0.6 vs. 111.6 ± 0.6 mmHg) under NH (hypoxic chamber; FiO2 18.05 ± 0.03%) or HH (real altitude; barometric pressure 580.2 ± 2.9 mmHg) conditions. The subjects completed the NH and HH camps with a 1-year washout period. Measurements and protocol were identical for both phases of the crossover study. Oxygen saturation (S p O2) was constantly recorded nightly. P i O2 and training loads were matched daily. Blood samples and VO2max were measured before (Pre-) and 1 day after (Post-1) LHTL. A 3-km running-test was performed near sea level before and 1, 7, and 21 days after training camps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total hypoxic exposure was lower for NH than for HH during LHTL (230 vs. 310 h; P < 0.001). Nocturnal S p O2 was higher in NH than in HH (92.4 ± 1.2 vs. 91.3 ± 1.0%, P < 0.001). VO2max increased to the same extent for NH and HH (4.9 ± 5.6 vs. 3.2 ± 5.1%). No difference was found in hematological parameters. The 3-km run time was significantly faster in both conditions 21 days after LHTL (4.5 ± 5.0 vs. 6.2 ± 6.4% for NH and HH), and no difference between conditions was found at any time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increases in VO2max and performance enhancement were similar between NH and HH conditions.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jonas J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Saugy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; National School of Mountain Sports/National Ski-Nordic CentrePrémanon, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of SportMagglingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Constantin
authors.affiliation: Departmental Section of Physical Education and Sports, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cejuela
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of SportMagglingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faiss
authors.affiliation: Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jon P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wehrlin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jérémie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosset
authors.affiliation: Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University of Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Grégoire P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Millet
keywords: aerobic exercise; altitude-training camp; crossover study; real altitude; simulated altitude