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Introduction
High altitude training has been utilised by elite sports persons since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City to maximize sports training programs. This method plays a part in the preparations of the Australian Olympic team for the Olympic Games and is now also being used in other sports such as the AFL. However, high altitude training also has its critics and not all sports scientists agree on its merits.
Science of Altitude Training
Untamed Scientist. (2014, February 6). Science of altitude training - olympic biology [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUPNCBQw4o0
Overview
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Nelson, R. (2013). Why do Athletes Train at Altitude? Retrieved from http://www.untamedscience.com/biology/human/circulatory-system/altitude/
Every time the Olympics come around we hear about the high altitude training programs of certain athletes. But what is it that happens to the body at altitude? To start this discussion we made a short video as we climbed the incline in Colorado Springs, the home of the Olympic Training Center.
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Robach, P., & Lundby, C. (2014). Improving endurance performance with 'live high train low' performance training. Retrieved from http://www.aspetar.com/journal/viewarticle.aspx?id=121#.Vl7OZN8rKqC
Historically, altitude training has been defined as the practice adopted by athletes who train for several weeks in an oxygen-deprived environment (altitude training camp) in order to improve their endurance performance. By extension, altitude training refers to the use of natural or simulated altitude conditions during the course of the training process, at rest and/or during exercise.
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Griffin, B., & Chiovitti. (2013). Explaining the science of altitude training. Retrieved from http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/explaining-the-science-of-altitude-training/
The fundamental theory behind altitude training is simple: by exposing an athlete to an environment that is low in oxygen (a mountain top or simulated altitude room) the body will eventually adapt to this stress by getting more efficient at transporting and using oxygen (stronger respiratory muscles, more red blood cells and so on).
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Stott, M. (n.d.). High hopes altitude training for swimmers. Retrieved from http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/articles/swimtechnique/articles/200001-01st_art.asp
Opinion on the benefits of high altitude training is extremely divided. Respected scientists, physiologists, coaches and swimmers respectfully/disrespectfully agree/disagree on altitude training usefulness, physiological effects and individual response. Considerable research, countless papers and hundreds of thousands of observation hours by the brightest coaching minds in the world come to different conclusions.
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Baker, A. & Hopkins, W.G. (1998). Altitude training for sea-level competition In: Sportscience Training & Technology. Retrieved from http://sportsci.org/traintech/altitude/wgh.html
Training near sea level while living at an altitude of 2500 m (8000 ft) for a month enhances subsequent endurance performance, probably by increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood through an increase in production of red blood cells. A small proportion of athletes shows no improvement or even reduced performance with this "live-high train-low" strategy, but the enhancement for the average athlete is 2-3%.
Key Terms
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altitude noun - the height of anything above a given planetary reference plane, especially above sea level on earth.
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altitude training the practice adopted by athletes who train for several weeks in an oxygen-deprived environment (altitude training camp) in order to improve their endurance performance.
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living high training low ‘live high - train low’ and consists of sleeping at altitude to gain the haematologic adaptations (increased erythrocyte volume) but training near sea level to maximise performance (preservation of sea level training intensity and oxygen flux).
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physiological adjective - consistent with the normal functioning of an organism.
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Live Low Train High An increasingly popular method of altitude training is the “Live Low-Train High” (LLTH) technique where athletes live at or near sea level but train under hypoxic conditions similar to altitudes of 2500-5000m.
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Hypoxia Cerebral hypoxia occurs when there is not enough oxygen getting to the brain. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to function.
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Acute adaptations to Altitude When elevation exceeds 3900 feet acute changes begin to occur in the body to make up for the reduced partial pressure of O2 in the atmosphere. The two changes that happen early in the acclimatization process are increased hyperventilation at rest and during exercise and increased cardiac output at rest and during submaximal exercise.
Quiz
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Key Terms Quiz
Test your knowledge on altitude training key terms.
Mexico Olympics
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Olympic.org. Mexico 1968. Retrieved from http://www.olympic.org/mexico-1968-summer-olympics
World records tumble and endurance athletes crumble in the high altitude of Mexico City.
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Sports Reference LLC. (n.d.). Athletics at the 1968 Ciudad de México Summer Games: Men's Marathon. Retrieved from http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1968/ATH/mens-marathon.html
The 1968 Olympic Games were held at Ciudad de México, which lies at an altitude of 2,240 metres, or 7,350 feet. The effect of high-altitude on athletic performance was known from previous competitions. In sprints and short-distance races, it produced record performances, but at distances, the thin air, with lesser oxygen content, impeded the athletes, and resulted in very slow competitions. No event in 1968 would be more affected by the altitude than the marathon.
Altitude Sickness
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Altitude sickness. (2015). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://school.eb.com.au.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/levels/high/article/5937
Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, acute reaction to a change from sea level or other low-altitude environments to altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 metres).