Athletes have used altitude training to improve their sports performance for many years. High altitudes have a lower level of oxygen in the atmosphere, and with repeated training, the body can acclimate itself to using less oxygen. As the muscles, organs and blood vessels adjust to high altitudes, the body can turn oxygen into energy with lower amounts of oxygen. As a result, athletes may be able to perform at higher levels of speed and distance.
High Altitude Acclimatization
With repeated exercise in high altitudes, the body adjusts to lower levels of oxygen, and the delivery of oxygen to the muscles improves. Oxygen is converted into energy during aerobic exercise, which is any continuous activity that lasts longer than a few minutes. High altitude training can increase the number of red blood cells in your body The more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen you can deliver to your muscles. The acclimatization process can also raise the number of small blood vessels, increase buffering capacity -- the ability to manage the buildup of waste -- and change the structure and function of the muscles.
Positive Effects
Since training at high altitudes increases red blood cell counts, high altitude athletes are able to transport oxygen more efficiently and more quickly through the body. The elevated red blood cell count remains for several days after the runner has left the high altitude location, according to The Runner's Guide. As a result, the runner can travel to a race at sea level and still benefit from having an improved oxygen efficiency.
Considerations
Training at high altitudes will not automatically make everyone a better athlete, as other factors come into play besides blood cell count. Having too many red blood cells can make the blood thick, which slows blood flow, sometimes decreasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. At extremely high altitudes -- 5,000m or more -- the body consumes muscle to produce energy, which can lead to weight loss and a weakened immune system.
Warning
If you are beginning a high altitude training program, ease into your routine slowly to allow your body time to adjust. Dehydration and fatigue are common at first when exercising in high altitudes, so drink plenty of water and allow yourself adequate rest time. Altitude sickness, which resembles the flu, can occur when ascending to higher altitudes, so watch out for the symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and fatigue. The most common cure for altitude sickness is to descend to lower altitudes.
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