Changes of Selected Hematological Parameters and Morning Rest Rate during Ten Days High Altitude Stay and Training

Abstract

This article describes the influence of a ten day stay and training in a high altitude area (1850 m ASL) on selected blood count parameters and morning resting heart rate. Three tests were performed on a group of young cross country skiers (n = 10, age: 18.7 ± 4.8): two days before, two days after and ten days after the altitude training camp. Two day after the return, significant (p < 0.05) increases in hemoglobin level (5.4%), red blood cell (3.2%) and hematocrit (4.3%) were observed. Ten days after the return to the lowland, were found significant increases in concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cell (p < 0.05) compared with the check measurement before high altitude. Increases in hematocrit were not significant. The heart rate was higher during the camp than before (p < 0.01). The average decrease in heart rate (2.6%) ten days after the return in comparison with basal data was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The study in a group of young cross country skiers has shown positive effects of a tenday training camp in high altitude on blood count parameters and morning resting heart rate monitored in lowland two and ten days after the return from high altitude. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR