Does Erythrocyte Infusion Improve Two-Mile Run Performance at High Altitude?
Abstract
Effects of autologous erythrocyte infusion (ER) on improving exercise performance at high altitude have not been studied. ER effects on two-mile (3.2 km) run performance were evaluated during acute (AA, 3 days) and chronic (CA, 14 days) exposure to high altitude (4300m) in infused (ER) and control (CON) subjects (Ss) initially matched (P > 0.05; n = 8 each group) for age, body size and aerobic fitness. After sea level runs (SL, 50m), unacclimated male Ss received either 700 ml of saline and autologous erythrocytes (42% Hct) (ER) or saline alone (CON). Two-mile run times (min:sec) did not differ (P < 0.05) between groups at SL (X(bar) +/- SE: ER, 13:14 +/- 00:19; CON 13:39 +/- 00:32), or during AA (ER, 19:02 +/- 00:18 CON, 19:44 +/- 00:43) and CA (ER, 17:44 +/- 00:27; CON, 18:45 +/- 00:55), but times were faster (P < 0.05) comparing SL to AA or CA. Heart rates (HR, bts/min) did not differ between groups at SL (ER 188 +/- 3; CON, 191 +/- 3), or during AA (ER, 170 +/- 4; CON, 178 +/- 4) and CA (ER 162 +/- 6 CON, 169 +/- 5), but HR were higher (P < 0.05) comparing SL to AA or CA. Perceived exertion (local, central, overall) did not differ between groups at SL, AA or CA, but local was lower (P < 0.05) at SL compared to AA and CA, and overall was lower for SL than AA. ANCOVA (adjusted for SL group run times) revealed 00:14 (AA) and 00:28 (CA) mean improvement trends (P < 0.05) for ER compared to CON. When compared to the ER literature reporting run time improvement for similar distances at SL or relatively low altitude, the improvement noted during AA was the same, but run time improvement doubled for CA.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA360256
Entities
People
- Aaron J. Young
- J. L. Kenney
- K. B. Pandolf
- M. W. Sharp
- Michael N. Sawka