In recent years, some athletes have been tempted to try induced Erythrocythemia (Blood Doping). Red blood cells are removed from the body, stored for a month or so, and then re-injected a few days before an athletic events.
Since delivery of oxygen to muscle is a limiting factor in muscular feats and red blood cells carry oxygen, it was predicted that increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood could increase muscular performance.
In one major study, it has been shown that induced erythrocythemia does improve athletic performance in endurance events. However, the practice is dangerous because it increases the workload of the heart. With increased numbers of RBCs, the viscosity of the blood rises, which makes the blood more difficult for the heart to pump. Moreover, the procedure is considered dishonest by the International Olympics Committee.
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