<P> Depending very much on the protocols used , the body may acclimate to the relative lack of oxygen in one or more ways such as increasing the mass of red blood cells and hemoglobin , or altering muscle metabolism . Proponents claim that when such athletes travel to competitions at lower altitudes they will still have a higher concentration of red blood cells for 10 -- 14 days , and this gives them a competitive advantage . Some athletes live permanently at high altitude , only returning to sea level to compete , but their training may suffer due to less available oxygen for workouts . </P>
why is training at high altitudes an advantage for athletes
athletes travel to competitions at lower altitudes they will still have a higher concentration of red blood cells for 10 -- 14 days , and this gives them a competitive advantage