Definition of Hypoxic Training
Hypoxic (altitude) training means exercising, living or breathing in low - oxygen settings to help the body adapt to less oxygen. It aims to boost athletic performance, physical health and acclimatize to high altitudes.
Origin of Hypoxic Training
After endurance athletes' good results in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics (at 2,240m), research found altitude - related oxygen changes could benefit athletic performance. Since then, hypoxic altitude training has been widely used.
Types of Hypoxic Training
Traditional modes: Live - high, train - high; Live - high, train - low; High - high - low. But they are costly and time - consuming.
Simulated training: E.g., Longfian technology uses mask - based, semi - permanent room or portable hypoxic spaces (like inflatable sleep modules). It's more efficient and cost - effective, with CE - marked safe equipment.
Benefits of Hypoxic Training
Physiological improvements: Increases capillarization for better oxygen delivery, lowers heart rate & blood pressure to stimulate fat metabolism, promotes lung oxygen absorption, enhances kidney EPO production for more red blood cells and better oxygen transport, boosts mitochondria and enzyme activity for higher oxygen use and antioxidant defense, and promotes human growth hormone release.
Athletic advantages: Raises VO2 max, enhances power and speed, improves strength and endurance, extends exercise - to - exhaustion time, shortens post - exercise recovery, reduces fatigue, lessens altitude sickness risk. It helps athletes, especially those less fit, and aids injured athletes with less muscle load for recovery.
Methods of Hypoxic Training
System choices: Commercial multi - user systems or home - based systems for convenient training.
Training approaches: Exercising at high altitudes, sleeping in an altitude tent, and intermittent hypoxic training.
