Even the best athletes can now expect to improve their personal records by using a new training technique. Many athletes are now sleeping in altitude chambers at altitudes up to 15,000 feet and training train at sea level. Studies show that athletes who sleep at high altitude but train at low elevation have dramatic improvements in both aerobic and anaerobic capability.
Athletes train best at sea level where there is plenty of oxygen to sustain high intensity workouts.
By sleeping at high altitude, athletes acclimatize to the low pressure and thin air. This increases red blood cell mass, and provides muscle cell changes resulting in greater VO2 max and a dramatic improvement in the body's ability to transport and utilize oxygen. Power and speed increase. Race times get faster. The results are dramatic.