Re: Bicycle race training technique

On Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:11:18 GMT, cyclintom <cyclintom@yahoo.com>
wrote:

On Tue Feb 4 11:06:57 2025 Jeff Liebermann  wrote:

>

That's a good idea but there's no way of testing for it.

 
Wrong, as usual.
 
"CO-oximeter"
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CO-oximeter>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=CO-oximeter&udm=2>
<https://www.masimo.com/technology/pulse-co-oximetry/spco/>
A blood test for CO won't detect small concentrations of CO.  An
CO-oximeter will work for small CO concentrations with the added bonus
of not requiring a blood draw.

CO is used in training because it kills red blood cells. Then you have to have sufficient time for the red blood cells to regenerate because new cells have a slightly higher O2 capacity.

Amazing.  In order to increase O2 (oxygen) capacity, you want to kill
the red blood cells that carry the O2 to the muscles.  That doesn't
seem very logical.

"A New Method to Improve Running Economy and Maximal Aerobic Power in
Athletes: Endurance Training With Periodic Carbon Monoxide Inhalation"
<https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6562501/>  (June 6, 2019)
"Altitude training stimulates erythropoietin hormone (EPO) release and
increases blood hemoglobin (Hb) mass, which may result in improved
oxygen (O2) transport capacity. It was hypothesized in the present
study that periodic inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) might elicit
similar physiological adaptations compared to altitude training."

In simpler terms, the added CO produces more EPO hormone, which then
increases the blood hemoglobin mass (red blood cells), which carry the
O2 to the muscles.  Killing red blood cells would be counter
productive.  The articles conclusion also states:

"Acutely, EPO increased sharply post CO inhalation, peaking at 4 h
post inhalation. 4-weeks of training with CO inhalation before
exercise sessions improved tHb and VO2max as well as running economy,
suggesting that moderate CO inhalation could be a new method to
improve the endurance performance in athletes."

In simpler terms, the maximum effect is 4 hrs after inhalation.  If
the rider inhales the CO at the start of the race, they have to wait 4
hrs for the peak benefit.  For short races, the rider might be able to
estimate when to inhale the CO.  For long races, the effect will begin
to wear off after 4 hrs.  Matching the point where the CO provides the
maximum benefit, with when to inhale the CO before the race, is going
to be difficult. 

Under Results notice:
"HbCO% increased from 0.7 to 4.4% (P < 0.05) after 1 h of CO
inhalation..."
Note the "after 1 h of CO inhalation".  Does the rider really need to
inhale CO for 1 hr for this to work?  That would look rather
suspicious before a race.

"Carbon monoxide poisoning"
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carbon-monoxide/symptoms-causes/syc-20370642>
"Symptoms related to the nervous system and brain can come on after
recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning. The risk of these is higher
in people who lost consciousness from the carbon monoxide and older
people. Symptoms might include:
    Memory loss.
    Personality changes.
    Movement problems.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially dangerous for people who
are asleep, drugged or drunk. Carbon monoxide can cause brain damage
or death before anyone realizes there's a problem."

Tom.  The symptoms listed sound very much like your typical
complaints.  Have you been inhaling CO to improve your riding?



--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558