Physiological Responses to Acute, Moderate Hypoxia in Elite Soccer Players

The ability to work at high intensity is markedly impeded when the oxygen pressure is reduced, e.g. corresponding to an altitude higher than 2000 m. Thus, the maximum oxygen uptake is decreased and ventilation and blood lactate concentration during severe, sub-maximal exercise are increased when subjects exercise at low pressure as in a pressure chamber (Hermansen and Saltin, 1966; Saltin, 1967; Bangsbo et al., 1987).