High Altitude Training

High Altitude Training (HAT) takes place between 5,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. This is where the body begins adapting to environments with lower oxygen levels. Even non-athletes living at these altitudes will adapt and experience the benefits of high altitude living.

Physiological benefits include:

• Increased red blood cell (RBC) production: Lower oxygen levels stimulate the body to produce more RBCs that carry oxygen to muscles and tissues. Increased RBC count is attributed to better aerobic capacity.
• Enhanced cell function: Mitochondria in human cells adapt by using sparce oxygen more efficiently, improving metabolic performance.
• Lactic Acid Thresholds: Lower oxygen levels cause the body to delay the onset of lactic acid production during exercise. This increased threshold is linked to better anaerobic performance - or endurance.

Here are a few name drops for elite level athletes that have trained, performed or competed in the Big Bear Valley:

• Oscar De La Hoya - boxing
• Gennady Golovkin - boxing
• Sugar Shane Mosley - boxing
• Lindsey Jacobellis - snowboarding
• Dusty Henricksen - snowboarding
• Shaun White - snowboarding
• Ryan Hall - marathon running
• Brenda Martinez - track running
• Boris Berian - track running
• Kim Rhode - shooting
• Garrett Muagututia - volleyball