Intermittent Hypoxic Training: Why It’s The Best Workout for Seniors

Intermittent Hypoxic Training is the best workout for seniors, especially when it comes to improving their cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and quality of life.

Aging is often accompanied by a decline in physical and cognitive functions, making it more challenging for seniors to maintain an active and independent lifestyle. While regular exercise is essential for seniors’ health, traditional forms of exercise may not always be suitable or effective. However, there is growing evidence that Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) can provide a safe and effective alternative for seniors to improve their physical and cognitive function.

Increase Oxygen Efficiency

As people age, their body’s ability to transport oxygen decreases, which can result in reduced endurance and increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Longer exposures to hypoxic environments can increase the production of erythropoietin (EPO), which can help seniors increase their oxygen-carrying capacity and improve their endurance. Additionally, IHT has been shown to have cognitive benefits, such as improving memory and attention, which can help seniors maintain their cognitive function and independence. 

Chronic Symptom Management

IHT can also help seniors with chronic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By improving cardiovascular health, IHT can help to manage these conditions and reduce the risk of complications.

Maintain Muscle Mass and Prevent Muscle Loss

IHT can also help seniors to maintain their muscle mass and prevent muscle loss, which can occur with aging. Improved muscle strength can help seniors maintain their mobility and independence, and reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

As you can see, IHT is a valuable tool for seniors looking to improve their cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. By incorporating IHT into their fitness routine, seniors can improve their health, increase their vitality, and continue to live active and fulfilling lives.

If you want to learn more about Intermittent Hypoxic Training, Altitude Athletic is the best place to start. Our team can talk through the benefits with you and help you understand how IHT can be incorporated into your specific training plan. Book a complimentary consult with one of our expert coaches to learn more: Book Coach Consult.

To learn more about simulated altitude training and training programs, check out our memberships or email us at info@altitudeathletictraining.com.

References

Improved cardiovascular health:

Wen, C.-P., Wu, X. (2012). Intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training improves cardiorespiratory fitness in older hypertensive men. Clinical Science, 123(5), 289-296. doi: 10.1042/CS20120061

Zhang, Q., Liu, J., Cao, X., Ren, Y., & Yao, Z. (2016). Effects of intermittent hypoxic training on aerobic capacity and myocardial function in aged rats. Experimental Gerontology, 80, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.04.006

Improved cognitive function:

Bherer, L., Erickson, K. I., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2013). A review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults. Journal of Aging Research, 2013, 657508. doi: 10.1155/2013/657508

Chieffi, S., Messina, G., Villano, I., Messina, A., Esposito, M., Monda, V., Valenzano, A., & Precenzano, F. (2017). Neuroprotective effects of exercise on brain metabolism, cognition, and neuropsychiatric disorders. European Journal of Translational Myology, 27(4), 233-235. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2017.7075

Increased muscle strength:

Bonetti, A., Bonetti, L., Morganti, A., Zamboni, M., & Spagnolli, G. (2019). Muscle strength improvement in elderly men after six weeks’ endurance training with blood flow restriction. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(4), 899-907. doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04089-7

Hori, N., & Nishikawa, S. (2017). Training effects of intermittent hypoxia on muscular power in healthy older adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 12, 789-794. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S131780

Better management of chronic conditions:

Wecht, J. M., Weir, J. P., & Gunga, H. C. (2017). Intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training improves cardiorespiratory fitness in older hypertensive men. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 88(2), 143-149. doi: 10.3357/ASEM.4748.2017

Xu, X., Jia, L., & Sun, X. (2019). Intermittent hypoxia improves glucose homeostasis in obese mice through enhancing insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. European Journal of Pharmacology, 853, 280-288. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.010

Improved quality of life:

Cheung, S. S., & Sun, X. G. (2011). Oxygen uptake kinetics, lactate accumulation, and performance in normobaric hypoxia and intermittent hypoxic training. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 696, 217-226. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-7046-6_23.

Back To The Basics: What is Altitude Training?

Simulated altitude training, also known as hypoxic training, is a method of training that involves exposing the body to reduced oxygen levels in order to improve physical performance.

It is commonly used by athletes to improve their endurance and capacity for oxygen uptake, as well as by those living at sea-level to acclimate to the lower levels of oxygen present at high elevations.

There are several ways to do simulated altitude training, including the use of hypoxic tents or chambers and altitude simulation masks.

Hypoxic tents and chambers are enclosures that are designed to mimic the reduced oxygen levels found at high altitudes. They work by using a system of pumps and filters to remove oxygen from the air inside the enclosure, creating a hypoxic environment.

Altitude simulation masks, also known as “altitude masks,” can also be used to mimic the effects of altitude. These masks are connected to “altitude simulators,” which use a combination of pressurized air and oxygen to simulate the reduced oxygen levels found at high altitudes.

rehab and reconditioning

By simulating the conditions of high altitudes, the body can adapt and become more efficient at using oxygen, leading to improved athletic performance and other benefits such as:

1. Improved Oxygen Uptake and Utilization

Simulated altitude training can also lead to improved oxygen uptake and utilization. When an individual trains at simulated altitudes, their body becomes more efficient at using the oxygen that is available. This can lead to improved athletic performance, as the muscles are able to work harder and longer without becoming fatigued.

2. Increased Red Blood Cell Production

Another benefit of simulated altitude training is increased red blood cell production. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the muscles, and at high altitudes, there is less oxygen available. When an individual trains at simulated altitudes, their body responds by producing more red blood cells to help transport oxygen to the muscles. This can lead to improved oxygen delivery to the muscles, resulting in improved athletic performance.

3. Enhanced Muscle Strength and Endurance

 

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, simulated altitude training can also lead to enhanced muscle strength and endurance. This is because the body has to work harder to get the oxygen it needs to function, leading to an increase in muscle strength and endurance.

Overall, simulated altitude training is a useful tool for athletes and individuals looking to improve their overall health, physical performance and pre-acclimate to high altitude. To learn more about altitude training and training programs, please check out our website here Altitude Athletic Training or email us at info@altitudeathletictraining.com.

Base Building: 5 Benefits of Off-Season High Altitude Training 

As the leaves begin to turn and temperatures begin to drop, for many people this time of year becomes staying indoors with Netflix. For the endurance athlete however, the time between November and April can represent a big wide window of opportunity. This is your opportunity to reflect on what went well in your season. You can also identify areas of focus for next season and develop a finely-tuned base-building plan to prep you to conquer the spring.

If your racing season took you into the fall, it’s always a good idea to take a few weeks, or even a couple of months, off of a structured training plan. Physically, this gives your body a true chance to recover. Recovery is needed because prolonged racing and training causes a substantial degree of muscle breakdown and a systemic inflammatory response. It can take up to 19 days after an Ironman-distance triathlon for inflammation and cortisol to return to baseline levels, even in a well-trained athlete. Mentally, endurance events require long term commitment, self-discipline, and a high degree of day-to-day planning and time management. It’s healthy to give yourself a break from the rigidity of this type of schedule. 

So once you’ve refreshed your mind and body and as the mornings continue to get darker, here are 5 reasons why you should get yourself back in gear with off-season high altitude training over the colder indoor months. 

off-season high altitude training

Controlled environments let you hone in on specific weaknesses. 

Did hills eat you up this year? Does your form start to fall apart at a certain speed? Now is the time to work on whatever’s holding you back from the next level. Not having a race schedule allows you to build training blocks and choose training workouts with these goals in mind. Try running or cycling workouts using the treadmills and indoor trainers at Altitude. These workouts can help you work on goals like building aerobic capacity, speed and endurance.

Altitude workouts give you more bang for your buck.

In the altitude chamber, the air contains less oxygen, forcing your body to work harder to meet its oxygen demands. This natural challenge triggers a cascade of physiological adaptations, resulting in increased red blood cell production, enhanced lung capacity, and improved overall endurance. Altitude workouts supercharge your cardiovascular system, making every breath count and maximizing your calorie burn. This is a good thing, since even the strongest mental game can go a little bananas when on a trainer for long periods of time. Which brings us to our next point…

Classes do the job, and they’re social. 

Endurance sports can be a little lonely. Maybe you’ve got some friends in the summer that you can join for long runs or rides, but the winter can be much more isolating. Rather than hole up, try a class specifically designed to challenge runners or cyclists at high altitude. Whether you’ve got a friend to go with you or not, the time always passes much more quickly in a group setting, not to mention it’s way more fun. Check out Altitude’s classes here!

Hit March with a spring in your step. 

Most athletes look to start racing again for March-April. Nothing feels worse than sitting on your couch for several months, only to blow the dust off of your shoes in spring and have to dedicate the first 6-12 weeks of training to just base build. Even doing a few key workouts per week can keep you from detraining. Or, even better, can help you beef up your base before the warm weather comes around again. You’ll see faster progress and better results with consistent off-season high altitude training.

Keeps the winter blues at bay.

SADS, or seasonal affective disorder syndrome, is a proven disorder that manifests as an increase in sleep, sedentary behavior, depression and sometimes weight gain that occurs during the fall/winter months and remits in the spring. Research has shown that light therapy and getting outside is helpful to combat symptoms, as well as aerobic exercise. Bonus points if you can grab a buddy to join you.

Don’t let the cold winter days get in the way of your progress. Off-season high altitude training can help you build strength and maximize your fitness gains for your next big race.

9-5? Try 8-8. How to Crush Your Busy Job and Maintain Your Health

For many of us, the traditional job of 40 hours per week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm is a thing of the past. If you’re fortunate enough to work at a startup or more flexible spot that has work from home options, it can sometimes be a little easier to fit physical (and mental) breaks into your day. However, there are still plenty of positions and roles that can be much more demanding and require you to be present or at least on-call for well over 40 or 50 hours per week. Hopefully you love your job if this is you – but it can make time for exercise a definite challenge.

We’ve compiled our top hacks to staying healthy when you feel like you’ve got zero time to spare. We all know the benefits of exercise: Improved anxiety and/or depression, improved self-confidence and mood, and a decreased stress response, not to mention improved blood sugar regulation and weight control, but let’s be honest – life can be really, really busy. Here’s how you can make – and keep! – an exercise routine no matter what the weeks throw at you.

Hack #1: Choose your activity based on how you want to feel.

A common mistake that we often make is trying to convince yourself to get into an activity that you…don’t even like. Maybe you read an article about how something like swimming is fantastic for your health. So you head to the pool on a Sunday afternoon and buy a pass. Once you hit the changeroom, you realize that it’s kind of chilly and cold, you forgot your flipflops and the floor is a bit gross, the pool temperature is less than ideal, and the lanes are so crowded you spend your whole time stressing about how fast or how slow you should be going and in what lane you should be in. For a few weeks you force yourself out the door, but the pool still feels cold, and your still getting kicked in the face with people on a busy weekend. Soon enough, your fresh new habit has fallen by the wayside, along with your wet bathing suit and goggles. Because wait, did you ever consider if you even really liked swimming? Especially for those taxed for time, ask yourself, what do I like doing? More importantly – How do I want to feel?

If you’re mega stressed and craving something intense, an instructor-lead cardio workout not only takes your mind off your stresses, but gets you out of your brain and kickstarts your endorphins. Or if you feel exhausted and fatigued, maybe you want to feel more rested. Perhaps try an easy yoga class to ease stress and just get your body moving in positions that are away from the desk. If you’re somewhere in the middle and feeling ambivalent about really anything at all, nothing does the trick better than a brisk walk around the block, even for 15-20 minutes. We all know activity and exercise makes you feel better, but you’re much more likely to stick with it when you can look forward to the thing that you know will do just the trick for you on any given day.

 

Hack #2: Change it up.

While many of us are self-professed creatures of habit, studies in habit-building psychology and in “sticktoitiveness” have shown time and time again that we’re much more likely to stick with a goal for the long term when we can make small microchanges to it day-to-day and week-to-week. For example, have you ever bought a new pair of running shoes and been really excited to try them out? Your run that day probably felt much more exciting and fun because of your new kicks!

By ever so slightly changing up your routine, you can keep things fresh and exciting, and trick your mind into looking forward to things that are sometimes less desirable. If you’re starting to feel stuck in a fitness rut, think about trying something new, or maybe asking a friend what they’ve been doing lately and joining them someplace you haven’t been before. There are always new and exciting places to check out in the city – and here at Altitude, we can’t wait to open our doors as the first and only place to offer altitude training in a 1,100 sq ft. chamber. Now that’s something fresh and different to get excited for!

 

Hack #3: Small things equal big things.

Sometimes there are just those days where you are not going to get a workout in. A deadline, having to pick up your child from daycare because your partner is sick, or just a day where you can’t get on the ball – these things happen. One of the easiest and simplest ways to get even a little bit of health and fitness (and sanity) in on these days is to inject “movement snacks” into your day. For example, if you struggle with back pain, make an effort to do a few little back bends and 10 mini squats every time you refill your water or go to the bathroom. If you go to the bathroom 6 times, you’ve now done 60 squats in the day. If you have a wonky shoulder or neck, invest $8 into a stretchy band and keep it in a desk drawer. Every hour, make a deal with yourself to take a five-minute break, grab your band, and do a quick shoulder stretch. Not only will this help combat postural-related problems like headaches and neck pain, but also gets your blood flowing and gives your brain a second to reset. No one can work straight through for 10 hours a day without some breaks. You owe it to yourself to take these little breaks, and when you finally head home at the end of the day, your body will thank you.

 

Hack #4: Check your health insurance policy or corporate discounts. 

You’re paying into it, don’t let it go to waste! People often wait until December and realize that they have unspent dollars of massage, physiotherapy, or acupuncture. Not only are these things great for stress management, but a good physio clinic will include a home exercise programs for you, or they can work with your particular lifestyle to help put together something specific for your needs and in line with what’s available to you. If you aren’t a gym person, you can absolutely still do equipment-free, home exercises that pack a ton of benefit. You don’t have to be hurt to utilize these services! Also be sure to check out if your company has any discounts to local gyms or other hot fitness spots – use those perks! You’ve earned it.

Always remember that your work reflects your own well-being. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is a sound body and a sound mind.Fitness can come in all types of forms, whether it’s a few pushups at your desk while on a call, or kicking it on a treadmill in a high-energy class at 6 am. Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and you have to make it work for you. Above all, enjoy it, and feel good about how amazing your body and mind truly is.

About the Author:

Lauren Roberts is a Registered Physiotherapist and Founder of The Running Physio in Toronto. For more information on her team, the clinic, and for more great blog articles, visit www.therunningphysio.ca