The effect of intermittent hypoxic exposure on erythropoietic response and hematological variables in elite athletes

• Published in: Physiological research Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 283 - 290
• Main Authors: Kasperska, A, Zembron-Lacny, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Republic Institute of Physiology 30.04.2020; Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adult; Athletes; Blood; Blood Cell Count - methods; Creatine; Creatine kinase; Cross country running; Cross country skiing; Endurance; Erythrocytes; Erythropoiesis - physiology; Erythropoietin; Erythropoietin - blood; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Hematocrit; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Humans; Hydrogen peroxide; Hypoxia; Hypoxia - blood; Load; Male; Musculoskeletal system; Nitric oxide; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Random Allocation; Reticulocytes; Sports training; Variance analysis; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Wrestling - physiology; Young Adult; Poland; United States > US
• ISSN: 0862-8408; 1802-9973
• DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934316

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the erythropoietin level and hematological variables in wrestlers after intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE). Twelve wrestlers were assigned into two groups: hypoxia (sports training combined with IHE, n=6) and control (sports training, n=6). An IHE was performed for 10 days, with one day off after 6 days, once a day for about an hour. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide ( H(2)O(2) ), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO), as well as total creatine kinase activity (CK) were measured. Also, the hematological markers (Hb - hemoglobin, Ht - hematocrit, RBC - red blood cell, WBC - white blood cell, Ret - reticulocytes) were analyzed. The 6-day IHE caused an increase in the levels of H(2)O(2), NO and VEGF. Similarly, the EPO level and WBC count reached the highest value after 6 days of IHE. The total Ret number increase constantly during 10 days of IHE. The hypoxia group showed a higher CK activity compared to the control. In conclusion, 10-day IHE in combination with wrestling training elevates levels of H(2)O(2), NO and VEGF, and improves the oxygen transport capacity by the release of EPO and Ret in circulation.