For decades now, athletes have been aware of the benefits that altitude training can have for their performance in terms of overall strength, power and endurance. Researchers through the process of studying these benefits have also discovered many benefits for the average person (non-athlete); in fact the benefits of altitude training in application to wellness and longevity may actually outweigh all the benefits gained within athletics.
The human body is genetically geared to adapt its systems to challenges and changes in the environment. Exposure to reduced oxygen levels (high altitude or hypoxia) creates such a challenge to the human body because oxygen is the primary source of energy for all of our cells. Under a state of hypoxia the body strives to produce required amounts of energy with less oxygen available. In doing so variety of physiological reactions and changes to multiple organ systems occurs all geared toward improving the body’s ability to utilize oxygen.
With Altitude Simulation, some physiological reactions have been shown to occur, such as amplified lung oxygen absorption; boosted production of Erythropoietin Hormone (EPO) by the kidneys, stimulating the generation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and enhanced oxygen transportation through the body; an increase in the number of end point blood vessels in tissues for greater oxygen delivery to the tissues, muscles and the brain; and an Enhanced production and rejuvenation of mitochondria (the human cell’s hub for aerobic energy production) and mitochondrial enzymes, allowing more efficient use of oxygen for energy production and superior enzymatic anti-oxidative defenses.