Does erythrocyte infusion improve 3.2-km run performance at high altitude?

The effects of autologous erythrocyte infusion on improving exercise performance at high altitude have not previously been studied. The effects of erythrocyte infusion on 3.2-km (2-mile) run performance were evaluated during 3 days (HA3) and 14 days (HA14) exposure to high altitude (4300 m) in erythrocyte-infused (ER) and control (CON) subjects that were initially matched (P>0.05; n = 8 in each group) for age, body size and aerobic fitness. After sea-level runs (SL; 50 m), unacclimated-male subjects received either 700 ml of saline and autologous erythrocytes (42% hematocrit; ER) or saline alone (CON). The 3.2-km run times (min:s) did not differ (P>0.05) between groups at SL [mean (SEM) ER, 13:14 (00:19); CON, 13:39 (00:32)] or during HA3 [ER, 19:02 (00:18); CON, 19:44 (00:43)] and HA14 [ER, 17:44 (00:27); CON, 18:45 (00:55)] but times were slower (P<0.05) when comparing HA3 or HA14 to SL. Heart rates (HR) did not differ between groups at SL [ER, 188 (3) beats x min(-1); CON, 191 (3) beats x min(-1)], or during HA3 [ER, 170 (4) beats x min(-1); CON, 178 (4) beats x min(-1)] and HA14 [ER, 162 (6) beats x min(-1); CON, 169 (5) beats x min(-1)], but HR were lower (P<0.05) when comparing HA3 or HA14 to SL. Ratings of perceived exertion (local, central, and overall ratings) did not differ between groups at SL, HA3 or HA14, but local ratings were higher (P<0.05) at HA3 and HA14 compared to SL, and overall ratings were higher for HA3 than SL. Analysis of covariance (adjusted for SL group run times) revealed (min:s) 00:14 (HA3) and 00:28 (HA14) mean improvement tendencies (P>0.05) for ER compared to CON. Thus, no significant improvements in 3.2-km run performance were associated with erythrocyte infusion, although the ER group showed a tendency to run slightly faster at high altitude.