Oxygen – less is better , more is better ? ?

Altitude training has been employed as a tool for enhancing performance by athletes since the 1964 Mexico Olympics. The cost and impracticality of going to altitude regularly has led to the development of altitude simulation at sea level by creating low oxygen (‘hypoxia’) environments. ‘Altitude’ or ‘hypoxic’ training facilities are now springing up all around the country. The evidence supporting altitude as a benefit for health and fitness is now quite substantial. The indications are that either sleeping at altitude, or training at altitude will cause the body to adapt rapidly, resulting in; improvements in the cardiovascular system, oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, exercise tolerance, anaerobic exercise capacity and faster fuel burning. There is even evidence that there may be some kind of protection from heart disease following altitude training (Bailey, Davies and Baker, 2000).