Altitude and Heat

Question 1

What is the bodies optimum temperature?

Answer 1

37 degrees C

Question 2

What is thermoregulation?

Answer 2

The process of thermoregulation allows a performer to maintain their core body temperature to within +/- 1 degree.

Question 3

How does the body regulate temperature through sweat?

Answer 3

. sweat glands release sweat
. sweat evaporates from body
. releasing heat

Question 4

How does the body regulate temperature through radiation?

Answer 4

. vasodilation of blood vessels near skin
. blood goes to surface, releasing and radiating heat

Question 5

What is cardiovascular drift?

Answer 5

. side effects of exercise in a hot climate
. leads to increased heart rate at given intensity of exercise
. reduced plasma volume due to water loss during exercise
. results in reduced stroke volume
. to maintain cardiac output HR has to increase

Question 6

What is altitude?

Answer 6

. 2400m above sea level
. hypoxic environment
. lower ppO2 than sea level

Question 7

What is the % O2 availability at medium altitude (1500m) compared to sea level?

Answer 7

84%

Question 8

What is the % O2 availability at high altitude (2400m) compared to sea level?

Answer 8

76%

Question 9

What is the % O2 availability at extreme altitude compared to at sea level?

Answer 9

52%

Question 10

What are the effect on gaseous exchange in a hypoxic environment?

Answer 10

. lower O2 diffusion gradient
. decreased saturation of haemoglobin
. decreased oxygen transportation to the muscles
. reduced diffusion of oxygen into the muscle cell

Question 11

What does less O2 in the working muscles lead to?

Answer 11

. reach OBLA quicker
. fatigue quicker
. reduction in performance

Question 12

How does the body compensate for the lack of O2?

Answer 12

. increased breathing rate at rest and exercise
(mechanics of breathing work harder)
. blood plasma volume decreases by up to 25% to
increase density of red blood cells
. reduced metabolic processes in the muscle cell

Question 13

What is the overall short-term effect?

Answer 13

A reduction in V02 max leads to reduction in aerobic capacity.
Performance of endurance activities and training at altitude becomes much harder.
Demands of the anaerobic energy systems increased.
Early fatigue. Reach OBLA quicker!

Question 14

What is acclimatization?

Answer 14

A process where the athlete gradually adapts to a change in their environment.

Question 15

How many days of training are required for performance at 2,000-3,000m?

Answer 15

2 weeks

Question 16

What are the long-term benefits of acclimatization?

Answer 16

. hypertrophy of respiratory muscles and inspiratory muscles
. alveoli density increases
. release of EPO which increases red blood cell production
. hypertrophy of cardiac walls
. increased oxygen transport in the blood leads to improved oxygen consumption in the muscle cell
. breathing rate and ventilation stabilize but still remain elevated compared to sea levels