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Int J Sports Med 2001; 22(8): 572-578
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18530
Physiology and Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hemoglobin Mass and Peak Oxygen Uptake in Untrained and Trained Residents of Moderate Altitude

D. Böning1 , J. Rojas2 , M. Serrato3 , C. Ulloa3 , L. Coy2 , M. Mora2 , J. Gomez , M. Hütler1
  • 1 Institute of Sports Medicine, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2 Centro de Fisiologia de Ejercicio, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
  • 3 Centro de Servicios Biomedicos, Coldeportes Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 November 2001 (online)

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Blood composition, hemoglobin mass (CO rebreathing method) and V˙O2peak were measured in 15 untrained (UT-Bogotá) and 14 trained males (TR-Bogotá) living at 2600 m of altitude, and in 14 untrained lowlanders (UT-Berlin). [Hb] amounted to 15.3 + 0.2(SE) g/dl in UT-Berlin, 17.4 + 0.2 g/dl in UT-Bogotá and 16.0 + 0.2 g/dl in TR-Bogotá. Hb mass was significantly higher in UT-Bogotá (13.2 + 0.4 g/kg, P < 0.01) and in TR-Bogotá (14.7 + 0.5 g/kg, P < 0.001) than in UT-Berlin (11.7 + 0.2 g/kg). In TR-Bogotá also plasma volume was expanded. Erythropoietin concentrations in UT-Bogotá and TR-Bogotá were not significantly increased. There was a positive correlation between blood volume and V˙O2peak for the pooled values of all subjects, if the oxygen uptake of UT-Berlin was corrected for an ascent to 2600 m. For the Hb mass - V˙O2peak relation two groups are indicated pointing to two types of altitude acclimatization with different Hb mass increases but similar distribution of aerobic performance capacity. We suggest that different genetic properties in a population of mixed ethnic origin might play a role.

Key words:

Erythropoietin, exercise, hypoxia, iron, transferrin receptor, doping.

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Prof. Dr. D. Böning

Institute of Sports Medicine
University Hospital Benjamin Franklin, Free University Berlin

Clayallee 225C
14195 Berlin

Germany


Phone: + 49 (30) 81812571

Fax: + 49 (30) 81812572

Email: boening@zedat.fu-berlin.de

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