High-altitude training is important for elite athletes in cardio.

High altitude causes the body to produce more red blood cells, which transport oxygen.

That is why, among other things, Nordic athletes have explored the possibilities of creating artificially high altitudes at home.

It has been debated and in some countries, including Norway, it has been banned.

- Personally, I like to produce facts.

Then someone else may try to answer the difficult questions of what should be accepted and not accepted.

There is nothing I can say and it does not matter what my opinion is, says Daniele Cardinale.

"Fun to be with"

The study on Bosön is carried out in collaboration with the Swedish Sports Confederation and is now investigating a new way to increase the amount of red blood cells, without traveling to high altitudes.

- The purpose of the study itself is to see if one of the effects of inhaling carbon monoxide is that you become hypoxic, that it is equivalent to staying at a high altitude.

The new method involves inhaling small doses of carbon monoxide and the hypothesis is that it gives the same effect, if not better, as high-altitude training.

A number of cyclists at the elite exerciser level may try to first inhale the gas, and then train, on several occasions.

- It's fun to be with.

I like to read about cycling so it's fun to be part of something that could provide new information in the future.

But it has been hard too, says Per Falk who is one of those participating in the study.

"Nothing dangerous in itself"

Carbon monoxide is dangerous in excessive doses, but Cardinale explains why the study can be performed anyway.

- It is not something dangerous in itself.

It is exposure to high doses of carbon monoxide that is it.

You have it in your body yourself, a few percent carbon monoxide that is produced regularly.

No problem.

So far, it is not known what the results of the study will be, but the hope is that in the future it can replace high-altitude camps abroad.

- Should it be the case that knowledge is built, it is conceivable that there are more environmentally friendly methods than traveling to Kenya.

Maybe you can do the same training camp in Stockholm at sea level.

See the full report here:

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Swedish carbon monoxide research will replace high-altitude camps