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Use of [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure ]] (IHE) is relatively new in the west, but the USSR (and later CIS) has been researching and using IHE since the 1930's. Usage includes sports, altitude acclimatization, and treatment of clinical disorders, including chronic lung diseases, bronchial asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, emotional disorders, and even radiation toxicity.
==Mechanisms==
* A study<ref name="EPO"/> looking at Hypoxia EPO, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production showed a ~50% increase in EPO from 4 hours of IHE or 2 hours of continuous hypoxia, but no response from 5 minutes or 1 hour. The IHE was a simulated altitude of 18,000 ft
* Subjects exposed hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber showed elevated EPO levels after 114 min at 9,000 feet and or after 84 minutes at 12,000 feet. EPO levels continued to rise with longer exposure. <ref name="acu"/>
* Research using the [[AltoLab ]] system showed a significant improvement in sprint speed. The study used 6 min hypoxia (10,000 to 18,000 ft) with 4 min recovery for an hour a day for 15 days. The study shown a tiny improvement in blood parameters (hemoglobin/hematocrit) normally associated with altitude training.<ref name="alto"/>
* IHE increased lung force in asthmatic and non-asthmatic athletes. There was no deterioration in asthma status from the trial, and half of the asthmatics reported a reduction in the need for medication. The trial used 15 sessions over three weeks, with each session being 5 min hypoxia followed by 5 min normal air, repeated for 60 minutes. The hypoxia was equivalent to 22,500 ft.<ref name="asthmatic"/> Other studies have reported a similar improvement in asthma, with reduced attacks, reduced severity of attacks and reduced need for medication.
