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ALTITUDE TRAINING
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What exactly is altitude training???
	It is going to higher altitudes for a certain amount of time (around a month) in order to increase the amount of erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys, to the blood. EPO is a hormone that produces red blood cells (RBCs). In turn, increased amounts of RBCs will produce more hemoglobin, allowing them to hold more oxygen. The higher amount of oxygen travels to the muscles enabling them to perform at a higher level of competition. The effect is known to have best results for around 10-14 days after returning & the full enhancement is gone around 2-3 months after descent, the life span of RBCs. The best height to train at is considered 2500-3500m, but the higher you go, the less oxygen there is, resulting in more EPO production. There are many famous athletes who have trained at altitude. Click on the link to find out who has done this type of training.	There are many different ways to altitude train: -Mountain-Valley Training -Stay & Train at altitude -Nitrogen House -Nitrogen Tent -Nitrogen Mask -Barometric Chamber

Pros:

has worked or countless athletes
will let you perform at your highest level
safer than blood doping
natural body processes

Cons:

considered by some to be unethical and cheating
altitude sickness may occur
can be harmful or have no effect if not done correctly
not permanent

The difference from blood doping:

Although the two are similar in effect, there is a major physical difference between altitude training and blood doping. Blood doping involves injecting oneself with erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that helps stimulate the production of RBCs. In altitude training, the body naturally produces more EPO due to the lack of oxygen, which aids in the production of more RBCs.

What I hope to learn and accomplish:

By doing this experiment, I hope to discover whether or not it is beneficial to train at higher altitudes for athletes. I will accomplish this by recording my data in an excel spread sheet and entering in heart rate, blood pressure, and VO2 Max changes after each run, for each person running. The altitudes I will be recording data at are as follows: Cusco: 532-4,801m or 1,745-15,751 ft, Lima: 0-1,548m or 0-5,078 ft, and Linden: 274m or 900 ft.

VO2 Max:

Your VO2 Max is the maximum amount of oxygen you body uses during exercise. Click to calculate and learn more about a VO2 Max!

Training Log: Before, During, and After the trip

Date	Name of Runner	Location	Distance	BPM	VO2 Max
2-26	Joe	Linden	9 mi	179	67.77%
3-8	Joe	Linden	4 mi	159	71.88%
3-11	Joe	Linden	8 mi	160	71.29%
3-16	Joe	Linden	4 mi	148	72.40%
4-10	Joe	Lima	4 mi	150	71.49%
4-10	Señor	Lima	4 mi	183	61.68%
4-15	Joe	Cusco	1 mi	150	71.23%
4-15	Señor	Cusco	1 mi	175	62.66%
4-17	Joe	Linden	2 mi	170	68.36%





Happenings in Peru:	Trip Journal

Links: Home Multi-Cultural Home Page Dave's Page

Sites used to attain information: www.altitudetraining.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_training http://www.arniebakecycling.com/handouts/ht_fa_altitude_training_for_sea_level_competition.htm

Page maintained & edited by Señor Schartow, and Señor Pez, and formerly: Carrie Johnson, Joe Male, and Tara Penney