My friend told me the other day that not only do the pro swimmers train in the high-altitude zones with low oxygen level, but supposedly some train in swimming facilities where they lower the oxygen level some way.Sounds kinda hard to believe.Is that even true or possible to lower the amount of oxygen in pools?Or is it just some BS?
Dave, as it was explained to me, the red blood cells don’t become more efficient oxygen carriers. What happens is the body produces more red blood cells, increasing the % of red blood cells in the blood, which is what actually creates the condition of breater oxygen in the blood.
And it not only applies to distance swimmers. One of the world’s greatest sprinters, Angel Martino, prior to the 1996 Olympics, traveled to Leadville Colorado to train at America’s highest pool, a little over 10,000 feet. It seemed to work for her!
Dave, as it was explained to me, the red blood cells don’t become more efficient oxygen carriers. What happens is the body produces more red blood cells, increasing the % of red blood cells in the blood, which is what actually creates the condition of breater oxygen in the blood.
And it not only applies to distance swimmers. One of the world’s greatest sprinters, Angel Martino, prior to the 1996 Olympics, traveled to Leadville Colorado to train at America’s highest pool, a little over 10,000 feet. It seemed to work for her!
