The effects of altitude/hypoxic training on oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity in elite athletes - a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed as a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing effectiveness of altitude/hypoxic training (experimental) versus sea-level training (control) on oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity of elite athletes in Korea.


METHODS
Databases (Research Information Service System, Korean studies Information Service System, National Assembly Library) were for randomized controlled trials comparing altitude/hypoxic training versus sea-level training in elite athletes. Studies published in Korea up to December 2015 were eligible for inclusion. Oxygen delivery capacity of the blood was quantified by red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), erythropoietin (EPO); and aerobic exercise capacity was quantified by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). RBC, Hb, Hct, VO2max represented heterogeneity and compared post-intervention between altitude/hypoxic training and sea-level training in elite athletes by a random effect model meta-analysis. EPO represented homogeneity and meta-analysis performed by a fixed effect model. Eight independent studies with 156 elite athletes (experimental: n = 82, control: n = 74) were included in the metaanalysis.


RESULTS
RBC (4.499×10(5) cell/ul, 95 % CI: 2.469 to 6.529), Hb (5.447 g/dl, 95 % CI: 3.028 to 7.866), Hct (3.639 %, 95 % CI: 1.687 to 5.591), EPO (0.711 mU/mL, 95% CI: 0.282 to 1.140), VO2max (1.637 ml/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.599 to 1.400) showed significantly greater increase following altitude/hypoxic training, as compared with sea-level training.


CONCLUSIONS
For elite athletes in Korea, altitude/ hypoxic training appears more effective than sea-level training for improvement of oxygen delivery capacity of the blood and aerobic exercise capacity.
Physical Activity and Performance Institute (PAPI), Konkuk University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Hun-Young
HY
Park
Physical Activity and Performance Institute (PAPI), Konkuk University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Hyejung
H
Hwang
Department of Physical Education, Korea University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Jonghoon
J
Park
Department of Physical Education, Hanyang University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Seongno
S
Lee
Physical Activity and Performance Institute (PAPI), Konkuk University, SeoulRepublic of Korea; Department of Physical Education, Konkuk University, SeoulRepublic of Korea.
Kiwon
K
Lim
aerobic exercise capacity; altitude/hypoxic training; fixed and random effect model; heterogeneity; meta-analysis; oxygen delivery capacity of the blood