To raise the issue is Stefano Oldani, winner of the 12th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2022, who talked about how in Italy we are light years behind on the subject of hypobaric chambers: "I am disappointed with our movement, this is an old issue that no one has taken in hand. Only we Italians cannot use them, and it is incredible to think about how far we are behind. 90% of the group uses these types of workouts. It is useful for someone to take this situation in hand. I was two weeks alone on Etna. Totally alone, while my teammates were in Spain, at the hotel, quietly using the hypobaric chambers to oxygenate the blood and simulate the altitude. For us Italians it is very uncomfortable: to go to the heights for long periods, to have a car always available. I ask who can take the matter in hand".
What are the hypobaric chambers?
Now, hypobaric rooms (or tents), also called hypoxic, are not really a training system. More realistically, they can be included in a training program to simulate high-altitude situations even if you live at low altitudes. The Italian law (376/2000) considers them doping practices because they artificially alter natural processes such as the production of red blood cells through the stationing of the body at simulated altitude conditions by means of a compressor or by introducing nitrogen into the air which reduce the amount of oxygen in the environment. The body is induced to produce red blood cells. What the EPO did at the time it does now in a natural way (more or less), the hypobaric chamber. Or a stay on the heights. For today's runners it is essential: a body that is more trained in the absence of oxygen "works" better from the point of view of recovery and endurance. If you don't use such systems, you are left behind. And in Italy we put the ham in front of our eyes, knowing that in any case the athletes are forced to transfer abroad or use it at their own risk.
Hypobaric and hyperbaric chamber
In the hyperbaric chamber the atmospheric pressure increases and what happens when you go to the depths of the sea is simulated, as in underwater. With the hypobaric chamber, on the contrary, the pressure decreases and what happens when you go up in altitude is simulated, like when you go to the mountains.
Italy forbids them, but only you
Italy prohibits its members of any sport and in its territory from using this practice. The Wada is lenient and leaves each country freedom of conscience. The Syncrosfera hotel was created in Spain, run by former Russian runner Alexander Kolobnev. Many rooms, little oxygen. You can "climb" up to 3000 meters without moving from the bed and you can "train" even watching TV. But there are many such examples in the world. In Italy we find TerraXcube (Bolzano), where there is a hypobaric chamber capable of simulating 8000 meters: mountaineers Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger also used it in 2019 as acclimatization while waiting to leave for a Himalayan expedition. However, mountaineering is not considered a professional sport. Cycling yes, but based on your nationality you are allowed to use it or not.
In mountain biking you don't hear much about a hypobaric chamber but certainly some high-level pro will use it (it's always a bit taboo subject).
Sometimes it is hard to understand how Italy can churn out so many talents in sport when at an institutional level we are often from the third world. Italian politicians, let's wake up.
UPDATE 13 FEBRUARY 2024: HYPOBARIC CHAMBERS ARE NOW LEGAL!
