2007, Piran, Slovenia

Environmental Ergonomics XII
Igor B. Mekjavic, Stelios N. Kounalakis & Nigel A.S. Taylor (Eds.), © BIOMED, Ljubljana 2007
Figure 3: Ratings of perceived exertion (0 = minimal, 10 = maximal) during an
incremental cycle ergometry test, performed in normoxia and at simulated altitude of
3000 m, before and after the acclimatisation procedure in the acclimatisation and
control group.
DISCUSSION
The results of the study suggest that IHT, as applied in the present study, does not
provide a sufficient stimulus for high altitude acclimatisation and/or performance
enhancement, as reflected in the peak power output, hematological parameters,
hemoglobin saturation and ratings of perceived exertion. The method might produce
some high altitude acclimatisation effects, if the number of daily intermittent hypoxic
exposures is greater, and/or the FiO2 of the gas mixture during the repetitions is lower.
However, the former would become logistically unacceptable for athletes, and the
latter presents an unacceptable and unnecessary hazard to an athlete wishing to
conduct such a procedure unsupervised.
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