Basic Description of Blood Doping: Oxygen is carried throughout the body by erythrocytes also known as red blood cells (RBCs). Hemoglobin in red blood cells carry up to 97% of the total oxygen in the body . After strenuous exercise the body builds up lactic acid because of a lack of oxygen. This lactic acid causes the muscles to fatigue,cramp and become sore (1). Obviously there are huge benefits to any substance that helps the body transport more oxygen around the body.

Athletes can improve their performance by increasing their body's capacity to carry additional oxygen. Methods include:

Increasing total volume of red blood cells-
Blood transfusion of athlete's own blood: The athlete takes out 1-4 pints of his/her own blood several weeks before a major competition which forces the body to make more blood. Additionally, the athlete reinjects the stored RBCs days before the competition (2).

Use of EPO to stimulate production of red blood cells: Erythropoetin (natural or recombinant ) is a hormone that makes the body produce more RBCs.

Abbreviated pregnancy: During pregnancy, the body naturally produces more EPOs. It is suspected that some females become pregnant to trigger such production (3).

Training at high altitude: Athletes naturally produce more RBCs at high altitudes.

Use of a high altitude sleep chamber: Thechamber is supposed to simulate high altitude conditions.

Use of artificial oxygen carriers: Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are artificial oxygen carriers which have 4 fluoride groups that carry oxygen. There are also synthetic types of hemoglobin (4).