Does high altitude training (or living) increase red blood cell production?

These little red red guys are a hot topic in the athletic community, especially the cycling world. More specifically the hormone that increases the production of them erythropoietin(EPO) also known as blood doping. Let's first discuss this amazing mammalian cell.

There are approximately 5 billion RBCs per cubic millimeter (the top of a pinhead) of blood and account for about 40-45% of the blood cells. Hematocrit is a measurable number and is the percentage of RBCs in the blood. Their unique concave shape allows them to maximize surface area and carry more oxygen by a molecule known as hemoglobin, which is what gives blood its red color. The bone marrow is the birthplace of RBCs and is initiated by EPO, produced by the kidneys, and eventually are broken down by the liver after 120 days.

I limited my search to only educational institutions due to their competitive desire to publish the most recent findings. And this is what I found.

When our bodies first encounter a higher altitude, it recognizes the decreased amount of available oxygen and begins to compensate. We immediately breathe harder to move more oxygen to our muscles. Within 2-3 days, blood content changes as more hemoglobin and RBCs are produced to increase the ability to transport oxygen. Some long term affects are found if you decide to inhabit this new environment such as the increased number of RBCs, decrease in maximum cardiac output and increased number of mitochondria and oxidative enzymes. I did not know the last two, which are interesting in of themselves due to the fact that the electron transport system is found within the walls of the mitochondria. So now the body has an increased ability to produce energy (that's whole other story). See this link: http://hem.passagen.se/hazard1/projekt/intro.htm The human body is so freaking amazing!!!

The moment you've all been waiting for: There is no significant evidence that shows training at high altitude to increase your hematocrit will increase your ability at sea level or any lower altitude. However, there is some evidence that shows training low and sleeping high (altitude training tents) can produce an edge. Colorado Altitude Training has some great info : http://www.altitudetent.com/

So that's what I found. Until next time.