CVAC for Fitness

Altitude training has been used regularly for the past five decades by elite endurance athletes, with the goal of improving performance at sea level. The dominant paradigm is that the improved performance at sea level is due primarily to an accelerated erythropoietic response due to the reduced oxygen available at altitude, leading to an increase in red blood cell mass, maximal oxygen uptake, and competitive performance. 

But CVAC is much more than just altitude training. New research has also shown that the benefits of CVAC go beyond those received from increased red blood cells alone.  The cascade of responses induced by the CVAC process includes angiogenesis, glucose transport and glycolysis.  Results from an ongoing study at the University of Hawaii show that due to exposures to cyclic variations in altitude conditioning, subjects achieve “…a significant adaptation to high altitude in four weeks of use.”  High-altitude acclimatization is understood to evoke increases in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and capillary density. Moreover, when high altitude-acclimatized individuals exercise at lower altitudes, mitochondrial density increases in response to the additional availability of oxygen, resulting in increased strength and stamina.  Click here for CVAC Introduction

Specific beneficial non-hematological factors that have been reported with CVAC use include improved muscle efficiency probably at a mitochondrial level, greater muscle buffering, and the ability to tolerate lactic acid production.  The flushing of such waste products may be why some CVAC users have reported significantly enhanced ‘recovery’ after workouts, competition, or injury.

According to World Champion Bicyclist Susan Cooper, " I had three peaks in three months. To peak three times in one season is unusual – ask any coach. When I told my coach my plan, he laughed at me. But I smiled all the way to the podium! During these three months I competed in the Masters National Championships (Utah), the World Masters Games (Alberta), and the Track National Championships (Indiana). I competed in an unprecedented 15 events and medaled with four golds, seven silvers, one bronze and three podium places. Nothing legal or illegal beats CVAC for recovery, strength, and stamina. Nothing.” 

Complete Clinics utilizes a comprehensive, hands-on approach to track and improve your fitness goals.  Through the use of metabolic analyzing technology as well as personalized muscle coaching exercises through our CVAC boot camps, our medical and fitness staff will provide you with the tools you need to maximize the benefits of your CVAC sessions.