The Influence of Short-Term High Altitude Training on Inflammatory and Prooxidative-Antioxidative Indices in Alpine Ski Athletes

Exposure of alpine skiing athletes, while training, at altitude hypoxia and low ambient temperature can modify the response of the immune system and increase reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of six day training model “live low – train high” on selected indicators of immune and antioxidant-prooxidant balance of alpine skiing competitors. The study was performed in 7 men, alpine skiers, who underwent 6-day training at Kaunertal glacier (3160 m). Before departure to glacier training, and after returning to sea level participants underwent series of tests. Somatic characteristics, anaerobic exercise capacity, blood morphological parameters and concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (hsCRP), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant status (TAS), total iron (Fe) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were assessed. High altitude training has led to a significant increase in anaerobic capacity (p<0.05) and serum concentrations of IL-6 and hsCRP (p<0.05). A negative correlation among the difference in iron (Fe) concentration between two study terms and the change of hsCRP levels was also found p<0.05). Alpine training conditions led to a slight increase in immunological indices concentration in studied skiers. However, it did not cause any significant change in prooxidant-antioxidant balance, which could be related to earlier anaerobic training adaptation.