Determination of the role of anaerobic and aerobic training at different altitudes on hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF-1 alpha), hemoglobin, iron, erythropoietin, hepcidin and nitric oxide

This study aims to determine the effects of anaerobic and aerobic training at different altitudes on hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF-1 alpha), hemoglobin, iron, erythropoietin, hepsidin and nitric oxide levels. In the study, 24 active participants were randomly divided into anaerobic and aerobic groups and trained at different simulated altitudes (sea level (0 meters), 1700 meters, 2450 meters and 3200 meters) for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. Blood samples were taken from the participants before and after 8 weeks of training for HIF-1 alpha, hemoglobin, iron, erythropoietin, hepsidin and nitric oxide analyses. HIF-1 alpha, iron, erythropoietin, hepsidin and nitric oxide levels were determined by ELISA method and hemoglobin was determined by Cyanomethemoglobin method. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS package program. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. In conclusion, anaerobic and aerobic exercise at different altitudes induced significant changes in HIF-1 alpha, hemoglobin, iron, erythropoietin, hepsidin and nitric oxide levels. Correlation analyses revealed a positive correlation between iron and erythropoietin levels and hemoglobin and HIF-1 alpha, and a negative correlation between nitric oxide levels and hepsidin. These findings provide important contributions to understanding the complex interactions of altitude and exercise type on hematologic parameters and may guide future research. Furthermore, these results may help to design exercise protocols and athlete training programs in a more informed manner.