Scientific Review of Mountain Might - Mountain Might, Altitude Training ...

Scientific Review of Mountain Might

A Comprehensive Guide to Modern and Alternative Approaches to High Altitude Training How to acquire biological adaptations to high altitude up to 7 times faster without any altitude exposure Secrets to increasing endurance, aerobic capacity, v02 max, training volume, and recovery time ™

Ways to pre-acclimatize the body and endure the extreme altitude of Mt. Everest

High Altitude Response Activator Natural, Safe, Legal, and Effective

Table of Contents 02 Altitude Training Overview 02 Beneficial Physiological Adaptations of Altitude Training 03 Other Possible Benefits 04 Limitations of Altitude Training 04 Performance Inhibiting Factors of Altitude Training 05 Which Technique Most Effectively Improves Performance? 06 Mountain Might: Alternative Approach to Altitude Training 06 What is Mountain Might? 06 How does Mountain Might Work? 07 Mountain Might Versus Altitude Training: A Deeper Look 10 Sea-Level Athlete Benefits 10 Mountain Athlete Benefits 12 Safety, Ethicality and Legality 13 Altitude Training Replacement Diagram 14 References

Altitude Training: Performance Benefits, Limitations, Performance Decrements The 1968 Olympics in Mexico City catalyzed one of the most innovative athletic training trends in history that persists to this day. Since then, clinical studies, scientific theorization, and the expertise of athletic coaches have formed a foundational body of knowledge on both athletic performance at high altitude and high altitude training. This body of work has led to a number of insights about the physiological adaptations to high altitude and their effect on both high altitude and sea level athletic performance. As altitude training has been studied, it has evolved into three distinct training techniques. These three types of high altitude training include live high train high (LHTH), live high train low (LHTL), and intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE). LHTH involves both living and training at a sufficient altitude to induce performance adaptations. LHTL involves living at high altitude while training in low altitude conditions via traveling in between locations, the use of altitude simulation devices, or the use of supplemental oxygen. IHE involves brief periods of frequent exposure to significantly high altitudes (>16,400ft) generally using altitude simulation equipment. The effectiveness of each of these techniques is a function of its ability to provide the beneficial performance adaptations of high altitude exposure while minimizing limitations and performance inhibiting factors of high altitude training.

Beneficial Physiological Adaptations of Altitude Training: Altitude training has been shown by many clinical studies to result in biological adaptations that improve the body’s oxygen efficiency. These biological adaptations also improve athletic performance at high altitude and sea level. Altitude training adaptations and their associated performance benefits are described and listed below. 1) Improved Oxygen Carrying Capacity of Blood Increased red blood cell and hemoglobin production enhances the blood’s ability to transport oxygen and has been shown to increase both maximal oxygen consumption (v02 max) and endurance (Ekblom and Berglund 1991). 2) The Hypoxic Ventilatory Response (HVR) The HVR is an increase in lung ventilation that enhances oxygen uptake and performance at exhaustive phases of exercise (Asano et al. 1997). 2

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3) Increased Oxidative Enzyme Generation The oxidative enzyme 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) improves hemoglobin’s ability to deliver oxygen to muscles during submaximal exercise (Sutton et al. 1988). 4) Improved Muscle Buffering Capacity Improved muscle buffering capacity increases muscular endurance by reducing hydrogen ion build up that contributes to muscular fatigue and inhibits aerobic energy production (McComas 1996). 5) Increased Cardiac Output Studies on LHTL training have demonstrated improvements in cardiac output that contribute significantly to v02 max (Liu et al. 1998)

Other Possible Beneficial Physiological Adaptations: Some altitude training studies indicate that cellular exposure to hypoxia causes localized adaptations to the tissue itself that may contribute to athletic performance. These adaptations include increased mitochondria concentrations and activity, increased muscular capillarity, and increased myoglobin concentrations. The proposed mechanism for these adaptations is the activation of gene that codes for a protein named hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). This protein stimulates genes that contribute to angiogenesis, myglobin secretion, and the production of mitochondria and mitochondrial enzymes. We have addressed the clinical research pertaining to each of these proposed cellular adaptation to hypoxia below. Muscle Tissue Capillarity Increased muscle tissue capillarity improves oxygen transport to muscles by enhancing circulation. This proposed benefit of high altitude training is induced by a process called angiogenesis. However, several studies have failed to demonstrate any changes in muscle capillarity (Saltin et al. 1995; Terrados et al. 1988). Furthermore, three clinical studies attributed reported increases in skeletal muscle capillarity to losses in overall muscle mass as opposed to the proliferation of blood vessels (Boutellier et al 1983; Hoppler et al. 1990; Green et al. 1989). Though angiogenesis proteins are often detected in the skeletal muscle of athletes in high altitude studies, capillary growth may be shunted by capillary vasoconstriction at high altitude. This biological mechanism acts to preserve blood flow to centrally located vital organs. However, given the strong relationship between vasodilation and angiogenesis, this factor may be responsible for a lack of capillary proliferation that should result from angiogenesis proteins. Muscle Tissue Myoglobin Myglobin is an iron containing protein located almost exclusively in muscle tissue. Its affinity for oxygen assists in oxygen diffusion from hemoglobin to muscle tissue and may potentially provide a short term oxygen store. An increased synthesis of this enzyme would theoretically improve aerobic performance by enhancing oxygen delivery. Very few clinical studies have examined the effect of altitude training on myoglobin concentrations. Two studies have concluded no significant improvement as a result of altitude training (Saltin et al. 1995; Terrados et al. 1988). One study on non-athletes did report a significant increase in skeletal muscle myglobin concentrations (Terrados et al. 1990). In conclusion, increased myoglobin synthesis, lacks sufficient evidence to be considered a performance benefit of high altitude training. Production of Mitochondria and Mitochondrial Enzymes Increased synthesis of mitochondria and mitochondrial enzymes would theoretically increase the aerobic capacity of muscle tissue. However, numerous altitude-training studies have shown significant declines in mitochondrial enzymes in both elite athletes and high altitude residents (Mizuno et al. 1990; Boutellier et al. 1982; Green et al. 1989). These decrements are likely due to altitude’s limiting effect on training load. We cannot conclude that mitochondrial proliferation is a benefit of high altitude training considering that multiple clinical studies demonstrate the opposite. In conclusion, there is a significant clinical data that fails to demonstrate performance improving cellular adaptations to hypoxia in altitude training studies. Anecdotal reports of muscle capillarity proliferation are likely due to reductions in skeletal muscle loss. The majority of clinical studies on myoglobin concentrations fail to support the occurrence of this adaptation. Finally, high altitude training likely has a negative impact on the concentration of mitochondria and mitochondrial enzymes. High Altitude Response Activator ™

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Limitations of Altitude Training: The performance benefits mentioned above are subject to a variety of limitations that make altitude training inconvenient and impractical for many athletes. These restraints apply differently to each altitude training technique. 1) Geographical Restraints: Clinical data on altitude training suggests that there is a limited altitude range at which athletes can live and train to achieve the beneficial physiological adaptations. Training in altitudes below 6,890 ft (2,100 m) may not bring about beneficial hematological changes (Ri-Li et al. 2002). Conversely, elevations exceeding 8,200 ft (2,500 m) may drastically stunt training volume and intensity and prolong recovery time (Witkowski et al. 2001). This narrow window of elevation limits the number of locations at which altitude LHTH and traditional LHTL can be properly performed. In many cases, accessing this level of altitude exposure requires traveling hundreds of miles, which is not a viable option for most athletes. 2) Financial Restraints: LHTL training using high altitude simulation devices eliminates the geographical restraints of altitude training. However, these devices range in price from $2,500 to over $25,000. These devices also require significant daily exposure time, and may result in sleep disturbances and partner annoyances related to sleep requirements. For these reasons their use tends to be limited to professional and Olympic level athletes. 3) Time Restraints: There are a variety of time restraints associated with acquiring and maintaining the performance benefits of high altitude training. These time restraints associated with each physiological benefit are provided in the table below. Time Restraints of Altitude Training: Physiological Benefit

Altitude Acquisition Time

Post Sea-Level Lasting Time

Hematological

4 weeks

2-3 weeks

Hypoxic Ventilatory Response

2-3 days

2-3 days

Elevated 2,3 Diphosphoglycerate

Unknown

Unknown

Muscle Buffering Capacity

4 weeks

2-3 weeks

Increased Cardiac Output

Unknown (LHTL Specific)

Unknown

Table data summarized from (Gore et al. 2001; Stray-Gundersen et al. 2001; Asano et al. 1997; Sato et al. 1992, 1994; White et al. 1987).

It takes an average of 4 weeks of high altitude exposure to acquire all the physiological benefits of altitude training (Gore et al. 2001; Stray-Gundersen et al. 2001). General performance improvements, which are subject to individual variability, are estimated to last 2-3 weeks post sea-level return (Levine and Stray-Gundersen 1997). Increased lung ventilation, however, has been shown to subside in athletes 2-3 days post sea-level return (Sato et al. 1992, 1994; White et al. 1987).

Performance Inhibiting Factors of Traditional Altitude Training: In addition to the logistical and financial limitations, athletes may experience performance inhibiting decrements as a result of high altitude training. These decrements include anaerobic deconditioning and decreases in cardiac output. It is of note that these performance inhibiting factors are only associated with LHTH training techniques. 1) Anaerobic Deconditioning: Athletes may experience anaerobic deconditioning as a result of altitude training for two reasons. This performance decrement is the reason why athletes often report decreased sprinting speed or “leg kick” during competitions after sea-level return.

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Experience the Benefits of Altitude Training Faster and Longer


According to altitude training expert Dr. Joe Virgil, it is necessary to decrease training intensity because of the decreased performance levels that can be reached at high altitudes (Wilber, Randall 143, 2004). By engaging in less intense training, athletes experience correspondingly lower performance adaptations. Larger anaerobic performance decrements are likely because training intensity has a greater impact on anaerobic systems. Secondly, anaerobic deconditioning during high altitude training may also be the result of reductions in skeletal muscle ATP (Green et al. 2000). 2) Cardiovascular Response to High Altitude: Cardiac output is a measure of the total blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is an important component of an athletes v02 max and, for that reason, declines are associated with decreased aerobic performance (Wilber, Randall, 4, 2004). Cardiac output is widely accepted to decline during altitude training (Alexander et al. 1967; Wolfel et al. 1994). Some clinical studies have suggested that this decrement to an athlete’s maximal oxygen consumption may last several days and even weeks after sea-level return (Hartley et al. 1967; Ferretti et al. 1990). A decline in cardiac output may thus be a lasting performance inhibiting effect of high altitude training that reduce improvements in aerobic power, v02 max, and endurance.

Which Technique Most Effectively Improves Performance? As mentioned earlier, LHTH, IHE, and LHTL improve athletic performance to the degree that they can provide beneficial physiological adaptations, while eliminating the discussed limitations of these benefits and altitude related performance decrements. Though each technique may suit the circumstances of an athlete’s life differently, the cumulative data suggest that LHTL appears to be the most effective in improving overall athletic performance. 1) LHTH The LHTH technique has been shown in various studies to produce all four beneficial performance adaptations (Adams et al. 1975; McArdle et al. 1996; Mizuno et al. 1990; Sato et al. 1992). As discussed earlier these benefits are subject to geographical restraints given the narrow window of altitude appropriate for training. Benefit acquisition time for LHTH is 28 days and the lasting time is approximately 2-3 weeks. Conversely, and most notably, LHTH training has been shown to result in both reduced cardiac output and anaerobic deconditioning (Hartley et al. 1967; Ferretti et al. 1990; Green et al. 2000). Most likely due to these anaerobic decrements, the scientific consensus regarding LHTH is that it improves athletic performance at high altitude but may not improve sea-level performance (Wilber, Randall 88, 2004). 2) IHE The clinical evidence regarding IHE’s effectiveness in providing the four altitude training induced performance adaptations is inconclusive. Studies have focused almost exclusively on hematological and general performance metrics. Among these studies there are several that demonstrated significant hematological and performance improvements and several that showed none at all (Hellemans 1999; Casas et al. 2000; Glyde-Julian et al. 2003; Hahn et al. 1992; Frey et al. 2000). Access to IHE is limited by the high cost of purchasing these systems and the shortage of training centers that offer it as a service. In regards to the time limitations of IHE, analysis of clinical studies done by world renown altitude expert, Dr. Randall Wilber suggests that exposure at above 16,400ft for 3 hours per day for a period of 2-4 weeks may be the minimal effective load (Wilber, Randall 209, 2004). 3) LHTL LHTL is the most promising technique and has the most conclusive clinical data regarding its ability to improve both sealevel and high altitude performance. (Stray-Gundersen et al. 2001; Levine and Stray-Gundersen 1997; Chapmen et al. 1998; Beidleman et al. 1997; Benoit et al 1992; Geiser et al. 2001). This author theorizes that this is because LHTL is the only technique that consistently provides the performance adaptations of high altitude training without any performance decrements. However, time and financial limitations restrict LHTL use to Olympic and professional athletes. In order to acquire these benefits, experts recommend 8 to 10 hours of daily hypoxic exposure for a period of 4 weeks (Wilber, Randall, 225, 2004). These can be theoretically sustained via continuous LHTL use. This technique requires the largest financial investment of roughly $2,500 to $25,000 for altitude simulation devices.

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What is Mountain Might? Mountain Might is a new sports supplement that provides the performance benefits of high altitude training without requiring any form of high altitude exposure. Mountain Might also provides these performance benefits without any significant geographical, financial, and time limitations or performance decrements. By activating the body’s hypoxic response system (HRS), the ingredients in Mountain Might have been clinically demonstrated to provide all four altitude training performance adaptations as well as improvements in cardiac output in as quickly as four days. Athletes no longer have to travel to remote high altitude regions, purchase expensive altitude simulation equipment, or make impractical time or behavioral commitments to achieve the benefits of high altitude training. The ingredients in Mountain Might are all completely legal, natural, and safe. These ingredients are not banned by any doping agency, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), or on any banned substance list.

How Does Mountain Might Work? The Discovery that Led to Mountain Might Mitigating the aging process has recently become a major focus of the medical community as the average life expectancy has increased. Many discoveries within this realm of science have critical implications to the field of altitude performance science. This is because the mechanisms that cause the physiological adaptations to high altitude also affect many aspects of overall health that decline with age. One of the most recent discoveries in this field is that supplementation with a natural amino acid and powerful antioxidant, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), induces the two major physiological adaptations of altitude training. These adaptations, the HVR and increased RBC and hemoglobin production, have been demonstrated by numerous clinical studies to be both induced in normal oxygen conditions and enhanced during hypoxia, by daily NAC supplementation (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002, Kelly MK et al. 2009; Zembron-Lacny et al. 2008) Furthermore, both physiological adaptations have been demonstrated to occur far more quickly than they can be achieved from altitude training (Kelly MK et al. 2009; Zembron-Lacny et al. 2008; Gore et al. 2001; Stray-Gundersen et al. 2001). As an added piece of scientific support, NAC has been shown to produce these benefits in both untrained subjects and trained athletes (Kelly MK et al. 2009; Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002; Zebron-Lacny et al. 2008; Momeni, M et al. 2011). Mountain Might and Hypoxic Response System Activation: Mountain Might works by naturally activating the body’s hypoxic response system (HRS). One of Mountain Might’s active ingredients, N-Acetlycysteine (NAC), activates this system in normal oxygen conditions and enhances it in hypoxic conditions by altering the sensitivity of blood oxygen sensing chemoreceptors (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002). Before the aforementioned recent hematological discovery that inspired the development of Mountain Might, scientists believed that hypoxia-induced erythropoietin (EPO) secretion was solely brought about by reductions in kidney oxygenation, the organ that releases EPO (Porter and Goldberg et al. 1994; Richalet et al. 1994). In addition to or in lieu of the kidney’s role in detecting low arterial blood oxygen (Sa02), is the role of oxygen sensing chemoreceptors (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002). NAC alters the sensitivity of these blood oxygen sensors by breaking down into compounds called thiols. These molecules are created in the body when red blood cells are carrying abnormally low levels of oxygen and are the primary signaling agent in low blood oxygen detection (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002). The other two performance adaptations of altitude training have also been successfully achieved by way of supplementation with natural compounds. Sodium phosphate has been shown in multiple clinical trials to significantly increase levels of 2,3 DPG and to improve the buffering capacity of skeletal muscles (Bremmer K. et al. 2002; Farber et al.1984; Stewart I. et al. 1990; Cade R. et al. 1984; Krieder et al. 1992; Bredle et al. 1988). Hawthorn berry extract has been shown in multiple clinical studies to increase cardiac output and positively affect other aspects of heart function (Schmidt et al. 1994; O’Connolly et al. 1986; O’Connolly et al. 1987; Leuchtgens, 1993). Keep reading for an in-depth look into the science of altitude training and how it compares to Mountain Might supplementation.

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Mountain Might Versus Altitude Training: A Deeper Look Í+ HKII HHKHK IL Ía Ù

LHH K Í1 +IÞ 2 LK HKI/ IL ÍH H)LK IL ÍÛIK ILI ÔÞ HK Ý (L þ!ÚÛ* 1. Hematological Adaptations An increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is the principal biological adaptation that athletes seek from altitude training. This adaptation is also activated by carotid bodies as part of the HRS. In response to low blood oxygen, carotid bodies signal the kidneys to produce erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the formation of new red blood cells and hemoglobin. (Wilber, Randall, 11, 2004) Higher levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin increase the amount of oxygen the blood is capable of transporting to muscles and tissues. In addition to initiating the HVR, NAC supplementation has also been shown to significantly increase EPO, red blood cell, and hemoglobin production by activating the hypoxic response system (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002; Zebron-Lacny et al. 2008; Momeni, M et al. 2011). Supplementation of this natural amino acid has also been shown to induce all of these hematological improvements in four days (Zembron-Lacny et al. 2008). LHTL techniques take an average of 4 weeks to reach comparable hematological adaptations (Gore et al. 2001; Stray-Gundersen et al. 2001). 2. The Hypoxic Ventilatory Response The hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) is an increase in lung ventilation that occurs shortly after initial exposure to high altitude. This increase in both lung volume and breathing rate is signaled through neural pathways by blood oxygen sensing chemoreceptors as part of the hypoxic response system (HRS) (Dempsey, Forster 1982). With prolonged exposure to high altitude, the HVR is sustained due to an increased sensitivity of ventilation signaling chemoreceptors called carotid bodies (Katayama et al. 1999, 2001). The HVR improves athletic performance by increasing oxygen uptake in the lungs during exercise. This adaptation, however, only lasts a few days after return to sea level (Sato et al. 1992, 1994; White et al. 1987). N-Acetylcysteine initiates the HVR by enhancing the sensitivity of carotid bodies. N-Acetylcysteine has been shown in multiple clinical studies to both enhance the HVR in subjects during hypoxic conditions as well as activate the HVR in subjects exposed to normal oxygen conditions (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002, Kelly MK et al. 2009) A placebo-controlled, double-blind study recently conducted on healthy males showed that NAC supplementation significantly increased the HVR in simulated hypoxic conditions as compared to placebo (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002). This study suggests that NAC supplementation should improve performance at high altitudes by enhancing pulmonary acclimatization. Another placebo-controlled study of NAC supplementation on trained athletes in normoxia found a significant, 14% higher respiratory inhalation pressure among the trained athletes who consumed NAC than the control group. (Kelly MK et al. 2009) This study reveals that NAC supplementation not only enhances the HVR during hypoxia, but also improves sea level performance by strengthening lung ventilation in normal oxygen conditions.

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A Quantitative Comparison: In addition to providing the hematological adaptations roughly seven times faster, NAC supplementation has also been shown to improve performance more significantly that LHTL training. The table below summarizes the evidence for this assertion. Altitude training data are calculated averages from findings in two LHTL altitude training studies (Levine, Stray-Gunderson, 1997; Stray-Gunderson et al., 2001). NAC supplementation data are taken from studies previously cited (Zebron-Lacny et al.; Leelarungrayub D. et al.). The results of this comparison reveal that though LHTL altitude training increased EPO levels more significantly, NAC supplementation produced more positive results for hemoglobin levels, RBC concentration, and v02 max. This analysis suggests that NAC supplementation alone may improve blood oxygen carrying capacity and athletic performance more effectively than LHTL training. Adaptations

Adaptations

NAC

LHTL

EPO

26.0%

92.0%

RBC

9.0%

4.5%

Hemoglobin

9.0%

8.5%

V02 Max

7.0%

4.0%

Hypoxic Ventilatory Response NAC

Carotid Body

Brain Respiratory Center

Lungs Increased Ventilation


Higher Arterial Oxygen Saturation 7

3. Production of Oxidative Enzyme 2,3 DPG Several clinical studies indicate that altitude training results in higher levels of the oxidative enzyme 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) in blood and muscle tissue (McArdle et al. 1996, Rusko 1996). Scientists theorize that higher concentrations of 2,3 DPG occur as a result of both increased production of red blood cells and as a byproduct of altered blood PH that results from increased ventilation (McArdle et al. 1996). This enzyme improves oxygen delivery to muscle tissues by decreasing the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

Altitude Effect of Oxyhemoglobin Affinity Concentration of O2 200

Saturation 100% = 1 Sea Level

Altitude

2,3 - DPG

O2 Delivery

Saturation

Several clinical studies have also PO2 Gradient: 27 mm Hg demonstrated that athletes can increase 0 0 2,3 DPG concentrations in blood and muscle P mm Hg O2 tissue using phosphate supplementation P50 = 27 38 (Bremmer K. et al. 2002, Farber et al. 1984, Stewart I. et al. 1990; Cade R. et al. 1984). One placebo controlled study examining sodium phosphate’s ability to stimulate 2,3 DPG production included administering sodium phosphate and fructose to subjects via injection. Subjects who received the injection experienced an average 2,3 DPG increase of over 25% (Farber et al. 1984). Another study performed at the University of Sidney confirmed the ability of sodium phosphate supplementation to significantly increase 2,3 DPG levels. Subjects who ingested sodium phosphate for a 7-day loading period had red blood cell 2,3 DPG levels and blood serum 2,3 DPG levels that were 25% and 30% higher, respectively, than control group levels. (Bremmer K. et al. 2002) Clinical support of phosphate supplementation’s ability to increase 2,3 DPG levels is not completely consistent. A few clinical studies failed to demonstrate a significant 2,3 DPG increase (Czuba, Milosz et al. 2009). However, dosage, loading period durations, and type of phosphate salt used may have compromised these study findings. Overall, the scientific consensus regarding this supplements ability to increase 2,3 DPG and oxygen utilization is highly favorable. 4. Muscle Buffering Capacity Numerous clinical studies on altitude training have demonstrated its ability to improve the buffering capacity of muscles (Mizuno et al. 1990, Gore et al. 2001). Accumulation of hydrogen ions in the blood and muscles is a major contributor to exercise fatigue during exercise. Increasing the buffering capacity of hydrogen ions is thus thought to have a positive effect 8



on muscular endurance. Scientists believe that this improvement in muscle buffering capacity occurs as a result of changes in muscle creatine phosphate and/or protein concentrations (Mizuno et al. 1990). Though clinical studies have focused on its ability to increase 2,3 DPG levels, sodium phosphate has also been examined for its ability to improve athletic performance by improving muscle buffering capacity and increasing muscle creatine phosphate concentrations. These studies were conducted using sodium phosphate as well as different phosphate salt combinations. The results of these studies suggest that sodium phosphate supplementation improves muscle buffering capacity by increasing muscle phosphate concentrations (Krieder et al. 1992, Bredle et al. 1988). Sodium phosphate supplementation studies have measured muscle-buffering power by comparing both post exercise lactate concentrations as well as performance levels at or above anaerobic thresholds to placebo values. The following studies have reported significant improvements in either indicator of muscle buffering power improvement. (Kreider et al., 1990; Kreider, 1992; Miller et al., 1991, Cade et al. 1984) 5. Cardiac Function As opposed to the enzymatic, hematological, and pulmonary responses to high altitude, the cardiac response contributes to decreased oxygen utilization and athletic performance. This response consists of an increase in heart rate coupled with a disproportionately lower decrease in stroke volume. These two responses result in a significant decrease in cardiac output (Klausen 1966; Vogel et al. 1967). Lower cardiac output reduces performance at high altitudes because of its detrimental effect on an athletes v02 max. This altitude-induced performance inhibiting effect has also been shown to last several weeks after return to sea-level (Hartley et al. 1967; Ferretti et al. 1990). Decreased cardiac output is thus not only considered to be a high altitude performance inhibitor, but also a major reason LHTH altitude training is not effective in improving sea-level performance. There is also evidence that prolonged endurance exercise at high altitude may result in cardiac damage (Shave et al. 2002). However, according to more recent studies , LHTL training may have a beneficial effect on cardiac output and heart function (O’Riordan, Michael. 2011; Liu et al. 1998). Hawthorn berry extract supplementation has been shown to provide improvements in heart performance that may both offset negative aspects of the cardiac response to high altitude and provide the cardiac benefits of LHTL training. Hawthorn berry extract has a vast body of clinical support regarding its ability to improve cardiac output, heart function, blood pressure, exercise tolerance, and various heart conditions (Schmidt et al., 1994; O’Connolly et al., 1986; O’Connolly et al., 1987; Leuchtgens, 1993). The majority of these studies have been conducted on heart patients. Though there have been limited clinical trials regarding hawthorn berry extract’s ability to enhance cardiac function of trained athletes, it is frequently used by elite endurance athletes and alpine climbers as a performance supplement.

Supporting Ingredients Iron Effect of Iron Deficiency of Hematological Improvements Mountain Might contains iron because it is a supporting nutrient for the production of new hemoglobin molecules. Deficiencies of this mineral have been shown to preclude hematological acclimatization in altitude training studies (Stray-Gunderson et al. 1992; Roberts and Smith 1992; Pauls et al. 2002). Additionally, athletes who perform at high altitudes or engage in high altitude training face a high risk of iron deficiency. This is because iron is mobilized at a higher rate for hemoglobin synthesis as a result of hypoxic response system activation (Berglund 1992). More specifically, exposure to hypoxia has been shown to increase iron absorption by a factor of 3.8 and decrease blood plasma iron concentrations by 35% (Berglund 1992). General athletes also face a higher risk of iron deficiency because of exercise related factors including foot strike hemolysis (iron lost due to repetitive impact trauma), increased gastrointestinal blood loss, and iron lost from sweat (Sinclair, Lisa et al. 2005). Although High Altitude Training Replacement ™

Mountain Might’s five performance adaptations will also benefit athletes by improving their aerobic base. An improved aerobic base allows athletes to increase their training volume and experience corresponding improvements in fitness. Mountain Might will improve oxygen absorption and delivery during exhaustive and submaximal phases of training and competition as well as reduce recovery time in between workouts. www.mmaltitudetraining.com

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the exact prevalence of iron deficienciency in athletes is subject to debate, clinical research indicates incidence rates of 25-35% of female and 11%-15% of male athletes (Sinclair, Lisa et al. 2005). Due to high instances of iron deficiency and increased iron demand in athletes, a dosage of 50-100 mg of iron is recommended as a preventative measure (Nielsen, Peter et al. 1988). Due to the high risk and prevalence of iron deficiency in athletes, hypoxic response system induced iron depletion, and iron deficiency’s resulting negative effects on hematological performance adaptations, a minimal effective dosage of iron is included in the Mountain Might formula. Its combination with N-Acetylcysteine will ensure that hypoxic response system activation results in maximal hemoglobin generation.

Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-12 is also included in the Mountain Might formula because sufficient levels are required for hematological improvements. Supplementation of this vitamin has not been studied for its ability to support red blood cell production during altitude training. However, Vitamin B-12 deficiencies have been shown to inhibit red blood cell production (Koury MJ, Ponka P 2004). Its inclusion will ensure that hematological improvements are not hindered by a Vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Sea-Level Athlete Benefits 1) The Aerobic Performance Metrics: Endurance, V02 Max, Aerobic Power The ingredients in Mountain Might significantly improve sea-level aerobic performance by providing the four physiological benefits of high altitude training in normal oxygen conditions. Improved cardiac output and cardiac function, benefits recently suggested but not confirmed to be acquired from LHTL training, are also provided by the ingredients in Mountain Might. Mountain Might’s beneficial physiological adaptations primarily enhance the body’s aerobic energy system. That is, they improve the body’s acquisition, transport, delivery, and utilization of oxygen. Mountain Might therefore delivers the most direct performance benefits to athletes competing in sports that are highly aerobic. These sports include all forms of long distance running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, speed skating, soccer, tennis, etc. In terms of sea level performance metrics, Mountain Might will have the most profound effect on v02 max, time to exhaustion, and aerobic power. Athletes who engage in sports that are highly anaerobic (e.g. racing events lasting under one minute) will not experience significant direct performance improvements from Mountain Might. That is because in these sports anaerobic metabolism contributes the majority of total energy production. 2) Recovery Acceleration and Training Volume Expansion Mountain Might’s five physiological benefits also offer indirect advantages to athletes that will lead to improved performance in nearly every type of athletic event. The first indirect benefit Mountain Might provides is reduced recovery time from workouts. This benefit is derived from Mountain Might’s ability to increase total oxygen consumption and delivery to muscles. Post-exercise oxygen delivery to muscles is the primary mechanism by which many physiological aspects of muscle recovery occur. These mechanisms of recovery include phosphocreatine replenishment for production of ATP, muscle acid-base balance restoration, and re-establishment of muscle membrane potential (Weiss, 1991). The aerobic system’s role in muscle recovery is demonstrated by excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), which has been shown to occur for up to 38 hours after exercise has ceased (Hill, AV et al. 1924).

Mountain Athlete Benefits 1) Pre-Acclimatization for High Altitude Performance High altitude training has been shown to be the most effective means of improving aerobic performance at high altitude, as compared to sea level. Simulated altitude exposure using hypoxic tents enables both untrained athletes going to high altitude destinations and mountaineers trekking to extreme altitudes to adapt more quickly and perform better athletically (Geiser et al 2001). Mountain Might’s ability to activate the HRS and provide high altitude adaptations allows athletes to enter high

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altitude performance arenas pre-acclimatized. NFL players facing the Bronco’s formidable at home record, mountaineers preparing for a Himalayan trek, military personnel rapidly deployed to high altitude regions, and families on the verge of enjoying a ski trip in the Rockies can all enhance both their acclimatization time and athletic performance. High altitude mountaineers may also accelerate the acclimatization staging process in situations where slow ascent is more dangerous or less practical. 2) Extreme Altitude Tolerance and HAPE Resistance: Mountain Might’s ability to enhance the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) is a crucial benefit to high altitude mountaineers. A weak HVR was considered the principal limiting factor that turned back mountaineers during Operation Everest II, as well as a risk factor for development of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (Wagner, P. 2010). A strong HVR helps prevent HAPE by reducing high altitude induced pulmonary vasoconstriction--one of the early steps that contributes to HAPE. Studies on high altitude natives also suggest that their ability to tolerate and perform work at high altitude can be attributed to having strong HVR’s (Beall, C. et al. 1992). By enhancing this vital adaptation that plays the largest role in extremely high altitudes, Mountain Might may help reduce the risk of HAPE and increase summit success rates at extreme altitudes. 3) Counteract Genetic and Age-related Limitations to Acclimatization: The degree to which people acclimatize to high altitude conditions is highly variable. Part of this variability represents a group of people who undergo highly limited, often unnoticeable altitude adaptations. In clinical studies of high altitude training and acclimatization, these people are classified as nonresponders (Chapman et al. 1998). These athletes will be turned from the final push at Everest regardless of their physical fitness and determination. They are also less far likely to experience the benefits of high altitude training. Additionally, as the body ages, the hypoxic response system becomes significantly less effective. The HVR and production of red blood cells and hemoglobin decrease significantly with age. This is why older people typically experience unpleasant symptoms during initial high altitude exposure and are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness. A recent aging study suggests that this age-related barrier to high altitude adaptation can be counteracted by NAC supplementation. This is because age-related declines in the hypoxic response are linked to declining blood levels of thiol compounds (Wulf Hildenbrandt et al. 2002). By activating the hypoxic response system, Mountain Might can improve the body’s responsiveness to hypoxia and thereby reduce both genetic and age-related barriers to high altitude performance and acclimatization. 4) Mitigate Cardiac Response to High Altitude: As previously discussed, exposure to high altitude induces a cardiac response that may be detrimental to oxygen transport. The heart strengthening effects of Mountain Might will help offset this response and promote proper cardiac output and function. This will help improve performance at high altitudes as well as reduce the risk of cardiac damage that may occur as a result of intense high altitude exercise.

High Altitude Response Activator ™


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Safety, Ethicality, and Legality Concerns: All members of the Mountain Might product development team and employees of Alpine Performance Laboratories LLC firmly and genuinely assert that this product is completely safe, legal, ethical and effective. The above analysis is testament to the effectiveness of Mountain Might in delivering the five performance adaptations of high altitude training. This section addresses any concerns regarding the safety, legality, and ethicality athletes may have with the product. Safety: The ingredients in Mountain Might are safe, natural, and beneficial to the overall health of athletes. The dosage of every ingredient was meticulously selected to maximize both the safety and efficacy of the supplement. Furthermore, Mountain Might was manufactured in compliance with standards set by the Good Manufacturer Practices (GMP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that help ensure product safety. Mountain Might does contain iron, which may be harmful to children in consumed in high amounts. Children below the age of 18 should therefore refrain from taking Mountain Might. Legality: The Mountain Might formula has been physically tested and approved by the Banned Substance Control Group (BSCG). BSCG approval guarantees that athletes can safely take Mountain Might without worrying about testing positive for banned substances listed by any professional or collegiate agency including WADA and the NCAA. In addition to not containing any banned substances, Mountain Might is manufactured by the most reputable nutraceutical manufacturer in the industry. This manufacturer complies with all standards set by the GMP and FDA, which include measures to eliminate banned substance cross contamination. There have been absolutely no reports of failed drug tests as a result of Mountain Might supplementation. Ethicality: There are clear ethical principles that anti-doping and banned substance organizations use to determine legality. Specifically, a substance or form of training is added to a banned substance list if it matches two out of these three criteria: 1) it can potentially improve performance, 2) it is potentially unsafe or harmful to one’s health, and 3) it violates the spirit of sport. High altitude training, specifically LHTL techniques that utilize artificial altitude simulation, have undergone scrutiny by WADA and the Olympic Committee because of their performance improving capability and potential violation of the spirit of sport. Arguments regarding this technique potentially violating the spirit of sport center around it giving athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors. This is because access to high altitude training is highly variable and dependent on an athlete’s financial and geographical situation. Though WADA and the Olympic Committee have ultimately rejected these arguments, they do highlight the fact that altitude training is a performance advantage that only elite athletes and those lucky enough to live in high altitude regions possess.

Mountain Might is a breakthrough performance supplement that ends the exclusively privileged access to high altitude training. By expanding the geographic and personal financial scope of access to this training technique, it effectively makes high altitude training itself a more ethical practice.

“Mountain Might levels the playing field by expanding altitude training access to those who are not geographically or financially privileged”

Alpine Performance Laboratories, LLC Denver, Colorado, USA

Phone: 1-888-908-9885 Email: [email protected]

™ ™

Altitude Training Replacement Diagram High Altitude

Blood Oxygen NAC Activates

Sodium Phosphate Activates

Hypoxic Response System

Blood O2 Saturation Blood O2 Carrying Capacity

Iron Vitamin Support

Hawthorne Berry Sodium Phosphate Activates

Oxyhemoglobin Affinity

O2 Delivery

Cardiac Output Buffering Capacity

VO2 Max Aerobic Power Endurance High Altitude Training Replacement

™

Peripheral Altitude Adaptations


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