At higher altitudes the level of oxygen dissolved in atmospheric
air drops significantly.
The low level of oxygen causes decrease in blood oxygen levels. The
change in blood gas composition in detected by the chemoreceptors
and it stimulates kidneys to release erythropoietin. This causes
increase in rbc production. The increased hematocrit levels results
in greater efficiency of blood to bind to oxygen and deliver it to
the muscles. This will lead increased endurance.
So when a person go back down towards sea level after high
intensity training up in altitude, his endurance increases due to
increased hematocrit levels. But these effects last only for 2-3
weeks after returning back to sea level. The body once again adapts
to the sufficient amount of oxygen it receives from atmosphere and
hematocrit levels drop to normal.
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