Originally Posted by
olsaltydog
Now this is not my area of expertise but it has got my interest. Swimming may also help on days where you are just sore by taking a little bit off the joints.
Flags or anyone else familiar with diving and elk hunting can chime in. As a freediver I have done apnea training, could apnea training possibly help out in the high altitude scenario in becoming more efficient at using low oxygen levels? Think I found an answer:
http://www.matthewdthornton.com/ApneaTraining.html
I'm not sure about apnea training. While I both hunt elk and am a certified rescue diver I've never actually done apnea training. I have kind of an advantage over many folks because I grew up above 8000 ft. I never even saw the ocean until I joined the Navy. I also spent 25 years in the military so I never let myself get out of shape and still exercise on a regular basis since I retired from active duty. Since I grew up in high altitude it only takes me a day or 2 to re-acclimate, which I do by visiting the family, and I'm basically good to go.
But your concept is interesting. Plus your comment about swimming is spot on. Swimming puts much less stress and pressure on the joints and is one of the best cardio exercises there is. But elk don't live underwater so at some point you have to get out of the drink and get ready to hit the hills.