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How Altitude Training Works

While "living high, training low" has conclusively been demonstrated to result in greater performance gains in comparison to "high-high" or "low-high" training regimens, a number of factors come into play in terms of individual response to altitude training. In order to achieve the best result from your altitude training you must determine the optimal dose of altitude exposure for your specific needs. The components of altitude "dose" include:

• The length of daily exposure

• The requisite number of consecutive days of exposure to achieve a maximal effect

• "Stair stepped" altitude acclimatization

• Maximum altitude

Length of Daily Exposure

By understanding that the benefits of altitude training are the result of the body's ability to adapt to altitude, it stands to reason that the body will need to be exposed to simulated altitude for several hours each day to achieve beneficial results. Research investigating the duration of daily exposure required to elicit an adaptive response suggests that a minimum of 6-8 hours per day is required. It is for this reason alone that altitude simulation systems that advocate short periods of severely hypoxic air do not, and cannot result in any tangible performance benefit.