Altitude Flashcards
when do the effects of altitude begin
1500m
what does the pp of O2 being lower at altitude mean
less )2 in atmosphere
what is altitude
how far above sea level
define short term effects of altitude
what happens to you immediately as you go up to altitude
define long term effects of altitude
changes in body as result of stain at altitude for prolonged period of time
how long must you stay at altitude to see long term effects/physiological adaptations
at leat 3 weeks
why is air thinner the higher you go
less molecules of air, ppO2 lower
short term effects of altitude on cardiovascular system (6)
- dehydration (dryer air)
- hypoxia (not enough blood to tissues)
- decreased blood plasma
- decreased stroke volume (vol blood leaves LV/beat)
- increased heart rate
- decreased max cardiac output (vol blood leaves heart/min)
short term effects of altitude respiratory system (2)
- increased breathing rate (hyperventilation)
- decreased VO2 max (aerobic capacity)
long term edicts/physiological adaptations of altitude (4)
- increased haemoglobin & red blood cell production
- lower diffusion gradient
- increased external respiration
- increased O2 transport
what happens at the acclimatisation stage of adaptation and what time period is it over
- athletes body begins to adjust
- 3-10 days
what happens at the primary training stage of adaptation and what time period is it over
- athlete steadily increases training intensity & frequency until at same point as sea level
- 1-3 weeks
what happens at the recovery stage of adaptation and what time period is it over
- training decreased - allow athlete to return to sea level without fatigue
- 2-5 days
what happens at the positive phase stage of adaptation and what time period is it over
- first 1-4 days after returning to sea level
- huge increase in amount of haemoglobin in the blood
what happens at the return phase stage of adaptation
- athlete steadily returns to intensity & frequency of normal sea level training
- performance = poor at first then increases greatly over next few days