Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 6

While training at altitude can be beneficial, how could someone “detrain”? How can you work around this problem?

Step 1 of 2

At high altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) in the atmospheric air decreases which lead to desaturation of hemoglobin. Therefore, a person who is exposed to high altitudes experience a decrease in VO₂ max. This decrease is directly proportional to the altitude. The more is the altitude, the more is the decrease in VO₂ max.