At high altitudes the reduced air pressure, oxygen diffuses into red blood cells more slowly. To compensate the decreased oxygen, one of the body’s hormone erythropoietin (EPO), triggers the production of more red blood cells to aid in oxygen delivery to the muscles. Training at high altitudes results in the production of RBC’s. Then athletes head to a competition at lower elevations to take advantage of their changed physiology.
- Natural blood doping – Idea of taking advantage of the body’s physiological changes at high altitude.
