ALTITUDE TESTING AND TRAINING

WHAT? 

The Brussels Laboratory for Exercise and Top Sport has an altitude chamber, equipped with a treadmill and ergometer, which is mainly used for altitude testing and acclimatization purposes. The chamber can simulate an altitude between sea-level (20.93% O2) and 6000m (10.20% O2). 

FOR WHO?

Altitude testing

Our altitude chamber can serve as a controlled environment that mimics the low oxygen levels found at higher altitudes. For testing performance and adaptations, subjects can be exposed to simulated altitudes, allowing our exercise physiologists to monitor physiological responses such as increased heart rate, changes in blood oxygen levels, and alterations in breathing patterns. This controlled environment enables the assessment of how individuals respond to reduced oxygen availability, offering insights into their adaptive mechanisms and potential performance limitations at altitude. 

Altitude training

Moreover, altitude chambers are utilized for altitude training, where athletes or individuals looking to enhance their performance at altitude undergo systematic exposure to simulated high-altitude conditions. Athletes preparing for high-altitude competitions can train with reduced oxygen levels in the altitude chamber to improve their adaptability. Also, there is increasing evidence that intensive altitude training can improve performance at sea level. At high altitudes, the body experiences lower partial pressure of oxygen, leading to hypoxia (lower oxygen levels in the blood). In response, the body stimulates the production of red blood cells to transport more oxygen to the tissues. This process results in increased oxygen transport capacity of the blood, which is beneficial for sea level performance. In addition, altitude training forces the cardiorespiratory system to work more efficiently because the body must make do with lower oxygen availability. This improves aerobic endurance, which is also conducive to sea-level performance.

In the same building as our lab, we have 2 altitude chambers where you can stay/sleep at specific altitudes. This allows the athlete to adapt to altitude according to the 'sleep high, train low' principle. 

APPOINTMENT?

If you are interested in altitude testing and/or training, please fill in the contact form at the bottom of this page. Let us know who you are and briefly describe your situation. We will then contact you to further discuss the details and the pricing.