Oxygen Deprivation Masks: well atleast you are entertaining!

I set to work researching and finding journal articles on oxygen deprivation masks. But as I was accomplishing this I came across a really good/thorough article that Mr. Eric Wong wrote. So why reinvent the wheel? (Plus it the article is written in reguards to MMA and other explosive sports, double win!!) http://ericwongmma.com/mma-training-mask-review-legit-or-hype/ 

If your not interested in reading the article(s) it is somewhat long then here is the basic breakdown.

What the mask claims to do as per trainingmask.com:
CLAIM #1: “Elevation Training Mask mimics the effect of High Altitude Training… With reduced oxygen consumption the human body changes in several ways. The production of red blood cells and new capillaries (small blood vessels) increase the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.”
AND
CLAIM #2: “Following are the changes that significantly boost athletic performance when using Elevation Training Mask:

• Increases in lung capacity as your lungs have to work 9 times harder to get the oxygen in
• Increases anaerobic thresholds
• Gas exchange becomes more efficient
• Energy production levels rise
• Mental and physical stamina increase 
• Mental focus gets better (This is a possibility dependent on the person)

The basic principle of the oxygen deprivation mask is riding the tails of LLTH (Live Low Train High) principle.... i.e. you wear the mask only when you are training to simulate altitude. This has been proven false. The study, “Is Hypoxia Training Good for Muscles and Exercise Performance?” authors Michael Vogt and Hans Hoppeler from the University of Bern in Switzerland state quite definitively:“… A common feature of virtually all studies on “live low–train high” is that hypoxic exposure only during exercise sessions is not sufficient to induce changes in hematologic parameters. Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations usually remain unchanged with “live low–train high.”

Training with the Elevation Training Mask may improve lung strength and lung capacity, however, these improvements don’t result in any increases in aerobic or anaerobic fitness. Just because you take a deeper breath that more greatly expands your aveoli doesn't mean that your VO2 has improved.

If you are looking for real results please feel free to come check out our seasonal strength and conditioning programs. We also offer custom made nutritional guides and training protocols. See you on the mat. Ossss!