“Live High-Train Low” Paradigm: Moving the Debate Forward

Abstract : The recent article by Drs. Bejder and Nordsborg (1) on the weakness of scientific evidences supporting that the hypobaric or normobaric “live high-train low” (LHTL) method improves sport-specific exercise performance has the merit of recalling the importance of careful methodological design (2) for future altitude-related research. Although we agree that double blinding, inclusion of a normoxic control group, implementation of a lead-in period, adequate sample size, and statistical power are paramount to minimize the potential biases (e.g., placebo or nocebo effect, training content or trainability influence), several comments would merit consideration.