Normobaric hypoxia training compared to ambient training on the course of the metabolic syndrom: influence on muscle function and structure
Final Report Abstract
The purpose of our study was to find out whether or not all the “hype” about high-altitude training for fitness in those concerned about cardiovascular health makes any sense and indeed results in improved outcomes compared to normoxia training. With this naïve hypothesis, we recruited metabolic syndrome (overweight insulin-resistant) men to train for six weeks at sea level or 2500 meters, both normobaric. We learned that women with the metabolic syndrome are remarkably difficult to recruit. However, we did find enormously engaged male subjects that did their best. We established that training exerts positive effects, particularly on lowering blood pressure. We did not find that altitude made much of a difference. With the development of “metabolomics” (measuring 100 metabolites in between to those reported here), we believe we can test our hypothesis further. We are working on accruing more data to supplement our findings.
