Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure
Being exposed to low oxygen for short periods has been shown to provide additional benefits beyond other altitude training approaches. The technique usually involves breathing air with reduced oxygen content for shorter periods. IHE can provide the increase in red blood cell count as longer periods, as well as improving oxygen delivery to the muscles. IHE is normally performed at rest rather than when training, and uses a Pulse Oximeter to verify the impact of the hypoxia. Also, IHE uses lower oxygen content than other forms of altitude training. For details of the supporting studies for IHE, see The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure. It is also possible to exercise while exposed to lower oxygen levels, referred to as Intermittent Hypoxic Training.
1 Benefits of IHE
- Improved efficiency in oxygen usage (mitochondrial respiration)
- Increased blood oxygen carrying capacity (not all studies show this)
- Greater resistance to free radicals through improved anti-oxidant defenses
- Adaption in breathing patterns at altitude
- A shift from protein to fat as an energy source
- No reduction in training intensity compared with Live High, Train High
- No impaired sleep compared with Live High, Train Low
- Improved lung function for patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Some positive studies of the effect of IHE on Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Cancer using animals.
