The proposed mechanisms underpinning these benefits include an enhanced rate of ATP and PCr resynthesis; improved buffering capacity to support high rates of anaerobic glycolysis; improvement of myocardial contractility leading to increased cardiac efficiency; and an increased erythrocyte ^2,3 diphosphoglycerate ^2,3 DPG concentration, leading to a reduced affinity of oxygen with haemoglobin and a greater unloading of oxygen to the peripheral tissues.