Download Altitude training for performance

Mikel Egaña
Trinity College Dublin
• 
Barometric pressure decreases as altitude increases
• 
Air always contains: 20.93% O2, 0.03% CO2, 79.04% N2
• 
Cold air holds little water, so air at altitude is dry: risk of dehydration
Altitude training for sea-level performance
1
Increases at rest and during exercise
To prevent alkalosis:
• 
CO2 clearance increases
• 
Kidney excrete bicarbonate ions
• 
Blood pH increases
• 
More acid remains in the blood
• 
Respiratory alkalosis
• 
Alkalosis is reversed
Haemoglobin saturation decreases from 98% (sea-level) to 90-92% (2,500m)
Altitude training for sea-level performance
Partial pressure
(mmHg)
Sea level
2,439 m
Arterial PO2
100
60
Muscle PO2
40
40
Diffusion gradient
60
20
VO2max decreases as altitude increases
i.e. at Mount Everest VO2max is 10 to 25% of its value at sea level!
Altitude training for sea-level performance
2
Blood volume:
• 
Plasma volume initially decreases (dehydration), then plateaus.
• 
Lack of O2 stimulates the release of erythropoietin after 3h (peak 24-48 h)
Stimulates erythrocyte (RBC) production.
• 
So, ultimately blood volume back to normal
Cardiac output (CO):
• 
At rest and mid submaximal exercise CO increases slightly
Initially: SV is decreased and HR increased
After a few days: a-v O2 diff increased, so less demand for HR
• 
Maximal exercise: both SV and HR lower, so maximal CO decreases
Altitude training for sea-level performance
• 
For a given submaximal work rate blood lactate concentration increases
• 
However, maximal lactate concentration decreases (paradigm)
• 
Increase in:
 
• 
Capillary supply
Decrease in:
 
Muscle fiber area
 
Total muscle area
 
Glycolitic enzyme activity
Probably due to loss of appetite, weight loss
Altitude training for sea-level performance
3
• 
Activities that require high demands on O2 transport and aerobic energy
system most affected.
• 
The decrease in VO2max with initial exposure to altitude doesn’t improve
much after weeks of exposure
• 
So, important to reach high VO2max values before altitude exposure
• 
Sprint (<2 min), jumping and throwing activities generally not impaired at
moderate altitude (Mexico 1968)
Altitude training for sea-level performance
Athletes who normally train at sea level, but must compete at altitude. Options:
a)  Compete within 24 h of arrival at higher altitudes:
• 
No acclimatization, but avoidance of detrimental responses to
altitude such as dehydration and sleep disturbances
b)  Train at altitude (1,500-3,000 m) for at least 2 weeks (For appropriate
acclimatization ~4 to 6 weeks)
• 
Initial intensity: 60-70% of sea-level intensity
• 
Progress to full intensity within 10-14 days
c)  For team sports requiring considerable endurance (football, hockey,
basketball)
• 
Intense aerobic training at sea level to reach high VO2max values
• 
So, at altitude they will perform at lower relative intensities
Altitude training for sea-level performance
4
• 
Most studies show no improvement in
sea-level performance following
altitude training.
• 
Few studies have shown post-altitude
improvements at sea level, but poorly
controlled (subjects not well trained)
• 
Difficult methodological problems:
• 
Athletes unable to train at same
volume and intensity as at sea
level (CV function decreased)
• 
Often athletes dehydrate and lose
fat-free mass
Brosnan et al. 2000
Altitude training for sea-level performance
Study 1:
Hi-Low
Levine BD et al. JAP 1997
Altitude training for sea-level performance
5
Study 1:
Hi-Low
Levine BD et al. JAP 1997
Results for the HI-LO group:
 
Main improvement in performance (5000 m): 1.4%
 
Improvement in VO2max: 2.5%
Altitude training for sea-level performance
Study 2: Hi-Hi-Lo
(elite athletes)
Results for HI-Hi-LO group:
 
Main improvement in
performance (3000 m):
1.1%
 
Improvement in VO2max:
2.3%
Stray-Gundersen J et al. JAP 2001
Altitude training for sea-level performance
6
Comparison of the two studies:
ΔEpo,%
ΔHb, g/dl
ΔVO2max
(ml/kg/min)
Δ Performance, %
Elite runners
(14M, 8F)
(study 2, 2001)
103±74
1.0±1.1
2.3 ±2.6
1.1
College runners
(18M, 8F)
(study 1, 1997)
59±40
1.1 ±0.7
2.5 ±2.4
1.4
Altitude training for sea-level performance
So, HI-LO method favourable results, but difficulties: Logistically + financially
Other approaches:
• 
Hypoxic tents (sleeping devices) or even hypoxic living apartments
• 
• 
Robach P et al, EJAP 2006 (elite swimmers):
• 
13 day training while living & sleeping in hypoxic rooms (16h
/day)
• 
No improvements in VO2max or swimming performance
(2000m)
Brugniaux JV et al, JAP 2006 (elite athletes)
• 
14 day training while living & sleeping in hypoxic rooms (14h
/day)
• 
Improvements in VO2max and VO2 at Ventilatory Threshold
Altitude training for sea-level performance
7
Hypoxic rooms (‘Hi-Lo’)
(elite athletes)
Results for HI-LO group:
- Improvement in VO2 at VT:
18.1% Post 1; 15.9% Post 2
- Improvement in VO2max: 7.1%
at Post 1; 3.4% Post 2
Possible reasons:
-  Post 1: RCV incresed 9%
-  Post 2: normal RCV; so, due
to training potentiation
Brugniaux JV et al, JAP 2006
Altitude training for sea-level performance
Intermittent normobaric hypoxia
 
 
Julian et al, JAP, 2004 (runners):
5:5 min hypoxia-to-normoxia ratio for 70 min 5 times/wk x 4wks
Hypoxia: fraction of inspired O2: 0.12(wk-1), 0.11 (wk-2), 0.10
(wk-3&4)
Results showed:
 
No improvements in performance (3000 m)
 
No improvements in VO2max
 
Due to a lack of increase in Hb and erythropoietin.
Julian CG et al. JAP 2004
Altitude training for sea-level performance
8