Abstract des Autors

In a longitudinal study, we examined male and female elite athletes (swimmers, boxers, long-distance runners, rowers) exposed to 1 or 2 training camps in the mountains or to the hypoxic chamber (12-20 days at altitudes of 2000 to 3000 m). Significantly increased red cell creatine concentrations represented the rejuvenation of red cell population in the circulating blood, and were found in all athletes performing optimal endurance training. Initial values were reached again some 15-25 days after the end of exposure to mean altitude (acute stimulation). An increase in hemoglobin concentration and PCV was not necessarily associated with it. We found this increase only in female rowers trained in the combination of hypoxic chamber/mountains who exhibited long-term increased red cell creatine concentrations (chronic stimulation). Verf.-Referat