Rønnestad Bent R, Odden Ingvill, Urianstad Tomas, Hansen Joar, Mølmen Knut S, Cardinale Daniele A
Section for Health and Exercise Physiology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, NORWAY.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Jan 1;57(1):81-87. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003542. Epub 2024 Aug 20.
Altitude training is a common strategy used with the intent to increase hemoglobin mass (Hb mass ) in athletes. However, if the Hb mass is increased during altitude camps, it seems to decline rapidly upon returning to sea level. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of three weekly heat training sessions over a 3.5-wk period after a 3-wk altitude camp on the maintenance of Hb mass in elite cyclists.
Eighteen male cyclists (maximal oxygen consumption: 76 ± 5 mL·min -1 ·kg -1 ) underwent a 3-wk altitude training camp at ~2100 m above sea level. After the camp, participants were divided into one group performing three weekly heat sessions that were subtracted from their usual training (HEAT) while the other continuing usual training (CON). Training characteristics were recorded during the intervention, whereas hematological measurements were recorded before the camp as well as 2 d and 3.5 wk after the altitude camp.
The 3-wk altitude camp led to an overall increase in total Hb mass of 4.1%. Afterward, HEAT maintained Hb mass (0.2%, P = 0.738), whereas CON group experienced a significant reduction (-3.3%, P < 0.001) (ΔHEAT vs ΔCON, P < 0.001). Moreover, HEAT increased plasma volume (PV) by 11.6% ( P = 0.007) and blood volume (BV) by 5.8% ( P = 0.007), whereas CON only showed an increase in PV (5.5%, P = 0.041). Exercise intensity and training load were not different between groups during the maintenance period.
This study suggests that incorporating three weekly heat training sessions into the usual training routine preserves a moderately increased Hb mass in elite cyclists after an altitude camp.
高原训练是一种常用策略，旨在增加运动员的血红蛋白总量（Hb总量）。然而，如果在高原训练营期间Hb总量增加，回到海平面后似乎会迅速下降。本研究旨在探讨在为期3周的高原训练营结束后的3.5周内，每周进行3次热训练对精英自行车运动员维持Hb总量的效果。
18名男性自行车运动员（最大摄氧量：76±5 mL·min-1·kg-1）在海拔约2100米处进行了为期3周的高原训练营。训练营结束后，参与者被分为一组，每周进行3次热训练，这3次热训练从他们的常规训练中扣除（热训练组），而另一组继续进行常规训练（对照组）。在干预期间记录训练特征，而血液学测量在训练营前以及高原训练营结束后2天和3.5周进行记录。
为期3周的高原训练营使总Hb总量总体增加了4.1%。之后，热训练组维持了Hb总量（0.2%，P=0.738），而对照组则出现了显著下降（-3.3%，P<0.001）（热训练组与对照组相比，P<0.001）。此外，热训练组使血浆量（PV）增加了11.6%（P=0.007），血容量（BV）增加了5.8%（P=0.007），而对照组仅显示PV增加（5.5%，P=0.041）。在维持期，两组之间的运动强度和训练负荷没有差异。
本研究表明，在常规训练中加入每周3次热训练可使精英自行车运动员在高原训练营后保持适度增加的Hb总量。
