Training the spleen as an alternative to doping? Research raises questions

If athletes are looking for a legal way to improve their performance, the spleen might play a role. According to a study mentioned on Bicycling.nl, the spleen can be trained to take on a natural function similar to the doping substance epo.

The spleen plays an important role in storing and releasing red blood cells. By specifically training the spleen, athletes might be able to get more red blood cells into their bloodstream, similar to the effect of epo. This could lead to better oxygen-carrying capacity and thus improved performance.

However, it is not yet clear whether this effect is really measurable and whether it works in practice. Bicycling.nl reports that more research is needed to better map out the potential benefits of spleen training. For now, it remains a theory that raises questions.

This report is a summary based on the mentioned source and is not medical advice. Always consult a doctor or pharmacist in case of complaints.