Altitude

Question 1

What are the effects of high altitude exposure on performance in aerobic and anaerobic activities

Answer 1

Effects of high altitude exposure are:
Decreased atmospheric pressure at altitude
Leads to increased breathing frequency
Decreased plasma volume
Decreased stroke volume
Decreased max cardiac output
Lower performance in aerobic activities
Improved performance in anaerobic activities.

Question 2

What are effects of altitude on respiratory system and how does this impact on performance (for endurance)

Answer 2

Effects of altitude on performance are:
Decrease in atmospheric pressure causes increase ventilation rate
Partial pressure of 02 in alveoli is reduced
Reducing diffusion gradient of 02 at the alveoli.
Less 02 and haemoglobin association
Therefore less oxygen is available for aerobic respiration

Question 3

What happens when you live high train hgub

Answer 3

When you live high train high, it is difficult to train and slower recovery.

Question 4

What happens when you live low train high

Answer 4

When you live low train high, it is difficult to train and quicker recovery

Question 5

What happens when you live high train low

Answer 5

When you live high train low you train effectively but have slower recovery.

Question 6

Training adaptations of high altitude training

Answer 6

Training adaptations of high altitude training are:
After 4-6 weeks, increased surface area of alveoli
Increased capillarisation
Increased release of EPO increased RBC production
Increased 02 carrying capacity in blood.
On return to sea level increased aerobic performance delay in lactic acid production

Question 7

Acclimatisation

Answer 7

Acclimatisation is adaptation to a change in environment.

Question 8

What are Guide lines for altitude training

Answer 8

Guide lines for altitude training are:
3-5days for low altitude 1000-2000
1-2weeks for 2000-3000
At least 2 weeks for more than 3000m and athletes shouldn’t sleep higher than 300m each night.
4+ weeks for 5000-5500

Question 9

Effects of altitude on respiratory system

Answer 9

Effects of altitude on respiratory system are:
Decreased pp02 causes a reduction in concentration gradient leads to a decrease in 02 and haemoglobin association.
So less 02 transported in blood
Causing reduction in 02 available to muscles
Results in decrease VO2 max and increases onset of muscular fatigue, decreasing aerobic performance.