If I understand correctly, hypoxic training (done by endurance athletes) works by forcing the body to adapt to low oxygen concentrations, i.e., improve oxygen metabolism. For this, athletes go to higher altitudes or use special machines (“hypoxicators”) that change the air they are breathing.
Could a similar effect be achieved simply by being in a (small enough) closed room for a long enough time, such that the oxygen concentration is as low as desired?
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Well, from my experience in altitude physiological trainers. First, you don’t even need a room, you can do it with an oral-nasal mask. This is the basis of ROPD (Reduces Oxygen Partial-Pressure Devices). The US Military has been using these for the recurrent altitude training for some years. See [HERE](https://armyaviationmagazine.com/robd-hypoxia-training/). The army now says they’re even going to do initial altitude training with them. This is because they discovered that frequent altitude exposures was producing changes in the white matter of the brain. In the pilots, particularly HA like the U2, and also in the instructors who were going to 27k (100% O2) and 42k ft (Pressure-breathing) on a regular basis. Breathing on a mask and dumping the exhaust you don’t need to monitor CO2. But even in a closed room, monitoring CO2 takes a monitor you can buy off the shelf.
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