Altitude Training – Training at altitude with less oxygen which produces more red blood cells for a ten to twenty day advantage

(Pronounced al-tih-tyood tray-ning)

To remember that altitude training means less oxygen and more red blood cells, recall the following mnemonic:

At this altitude there are only a few ox (less oxygen) but they were far more red, like the colour of blood (more red blood cells).

When training at high altitudes, the body eventually adjusts to the thinner, less oxygen rich air by producing more red blood cells. This increase in red blood cells allows the body to deliver more oxygen to the muscles, leading to improvements in athletic performance, such as increased endurance and improved overall fitness. Altitude training is often used by runners, swimmers and other endurance athletes in the run up to competitions.