Background

Altitude training in low oxygen conditions has been proven to enhance endurance, with studies consistently demonstrating an associated 3-5% improvement in sporting performance. The greatest endurance athletes of the last 50 years have known this and travelled around the world to capitalise upon this advantage. Since the turn of the millennium, altitude tents have offered an alternative way to benefit from these performance advantages from the convenience of your own home. However, altitude simulation technology has traditionally been heavy, loud and expensive. Affinity Altitude has worked closely with Olympic Champions, the English Institute of Sport and Universities across the UK to address these issues. The end product? The lightest, quietest and cheapest altitude tents and exercise systems in the world. For the first time ever, altitude simulation technology is available, not just to the elite, but the wider endurance sport community.

Affinity Altitude tents are built by athletes, for athletes.  

How do altitude tents work?

The science behind altitude training is simple. Through exposing an individual to a low oxygen environment, the body adapts to this stress and improves its efficiency at transporting and using oxygen. This low oxygen environment can be replicated using a tent and an altitude generator. Sleeping at altitude (and simulated altitude) triggers your body to increase the production of erythropoietin (EPO), which subsequently increases the number and concentration of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry 98% of the oxygen in your blood. Therefore, increasing your red blood cell count, increases the amount of oxygen your body can take up and transport, allowing you to train harder for longer. Further significant benefits include decreased exercise blood lactate levels and increased capillarisation (new blood vessel formation in muscles).

Altitude simulation can be an effective method of training for athletes of all levels – including runners, triathletes, cyclists, rowers, boxers, footballer players, rugby players, swimmers and mountain climbers.

Our altitude tents can be used alone, or alongside altitude training camps. If you have been training in a high altitude camp, simulated altitude systems can be used beforehand to accelerate your adaption to altitude and afterward to maintain the benefits of your altitude training for longer.

Summary

Sleeping in altitude tents and exercising at altitude has proven benefits upon sports performance, including:

• Improved strength and endurance
• Increased exercise-till-exhaustion time
• Increased VO2 Max
• Reduced recovery time after exertion
• Decreased resting heart-rate and blood pressure
• Maintenance of cardiovascular fitness when injured
• Diminished overall fatigue
• Pre acclimatisation prior to training or competing at altitude
• Post altitude training to prolong physiological benefits

**For a more in depth understanding of how altitude training improves endurance performance, we have this covered in our “The Science Behind cont.” blog!**