Does altitude and hypoxia training have an impact on the athlete's endurance and power ability? A literature review.

This literature review examines the impact of altitude and hypoxia training on athletes' endurance and power abilities, analyzing 13 studies published between 2020 and 2022. The findings indicate that such training can enhance anaerobic capacity, total hemoglobin mass (tHb), erythropoietin (EPO) responses, and peak aerobic performance, with male endurance athletes generally showing more pronounced hematological adaptations than females. However, individual responses to hypoxic training vary significantly, suggesting the need for personalized training approaches. While altitude and hypoxic methods like "live high–train high" (LHTH), "live high–train low" (LHTL), and intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) offer physiological benefits, evidence for their effectiveness in team sports remains limited and inconsistent. Further research is recommended to optimize training protocols, evaluate simulation technologies, and understand mechanisms underlying varied athlete responses.