Influence of "live high-train low" on hemoglobin mass and post-exercise hepcidin response in female endurance athletes
Loading...
Date
2025-04-10
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer-Verlag GmbH
Rights
(c) 2025 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 21-day ‘live high-train low’ (LHTL) intervention on hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and post-exercise hepcidin response in female endurance athletes.
Methods: 15 national to international level female endurance athletes completed either the LHTL intervention in normobaric hypoxia (2500 m, ~ 18 h·day−1, INT, n = 7) or lived and trained in normoxia for the same duration (CON, n = 8). Tests were conducted before (PRE) and within two days after (POST) the intervention including Hbmass measurements via a carbon monoxide rebreathing method and a roller skiing skate test. Venous blood samples were collected at rest, 0, and 3 h after the aerobic exercise to test for changes in serum hepcidin, ferritin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
Results: Normobaric hypoxia increased Hbmass (3.3 ± 1.8%, p < 0.001) in INT, while no changes were observed in CON. There were no changes in performance parameters, resting levels of hepcidin, or IL-6 from PRE to POST, but ferritin decreased in both groups (p = 0.040). Hepcidin increased 0 h post-exercise in PRE for INT (p = 0.029) and both 0 and 3 h post-exercise for CON (p = 0.001, p = 0.019). In POST elevated post-exercise hepcidin was only observed in CON (0 h, p = 0.003; 3 h, p = 0.008).
Conclusions: 21-day LHTL increased Hbmass and suppressed post-exercise hepcidin response after intensive aerobic exercise. This suggests that prolonged hypoxia may induce an acute physiological response that supports iron absorption within a few days following hypoxic exposure, which may assist in achieving the aerobic adaptations sought from prolonged hypoxic training camps.
Description
Keywords
Hepcidin, Hemoglobin mass, Normobaric hypoxia, Iron status, Infammation
Citation
Kuorelahti T, Ihalainen JK, Linnamo V, Badenhorst C, Kettunen O, Mikkonen RS. (2025). Influence of "live high-train low" on hemoglobin mass and post-exercise hepcidin response in female endurance athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology. Latest Articles.