High Altitude Adaptations

1. Increase in number of mitochondria

1.1. Mitochondria - Rod-shaped organelles that can be considered the power generators of the cell , converting oxygen and nutrients into ATP

1.1.1. Increase in number of mitochondria

1.2. Benefits performance in aerobic endurance

2. Increased Red Blood Cell Production

2.1. Bone marrow increases blood cell production

2.2. Haemoglobin increases

2.2.1. protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lung to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs

2.3. An acclimatised person may have 30-50% more cells than a counterpart at sea level

3. Capillirisation

3.1. Increase in size and number of capillaries

3.2. Improves the rate of diffusion of oxygen from the blood into the muscles

3.3. Reduction in cardiac output required for oxygen delivery during rest and exercise compared with pre-acclimatisation