Environmental Conditions - Altitude

Question 1

diffusion

Answer 1

The movement of substances from a high to a low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane
Gas exchange takes place due to a concentration difference called a concentration gradient
- The alveoli have a high concentration of O2
The venous blood capillary has a low concentration of CO2

Question 2

gas exchange at alveoli/capillary interface

Answer 2

Oxygen goes from alveoli to lungs into capillaries
Carbon dioxide goes from capillaries to alveoli
Oxygen goes from high concentration in alveoli to low concentration in capillaries
Carbon dioxide goes from low concentration in capillaries to high concentration in alveoli

Question 3

altitude vs sea level

Answer 3

At altitude, there is a reduction of pressure of O2 entering the lungs
At sea level, O2 has a higher partial pressure
At mt Everest, O2 has a lower partial pressure

At sea level
In the lungs
A large difference in partial pressure of oxygen in alveoli and the returned venous blood

At altitude
In the lungs
A small difference in partial pressure of oxygen in alveoli and the returned venous blood
Little oxygen is diffused to blood vessel due to poor pressure difference

Question 4

altitude acclimatisation

Answer 4

Describes the improved physiological response to altitude hypoxia
Relates to fatigue theory in that endurance events are limited by oxygen supply to the worjking muscles and utilisation by the working muscles
Through repeated exposure to hypoxic environments the body can improve its ability to supply and utilise oxygen

Question 5

types of altitude acclimatisation

Answer 5

Live high, train low
Live high, train high
Live low, train high

Question 6

live high train low

Answer 6

This involves daily intermittent exposure to artificial altitude environments whilst maintaining normal training intensities
Hypoxic apartments are used where the pressure of O2 in the air is manipulate to simulate conditions
This methods is more beneficial as it allows players to maintain their training intensity while benefiting from altitude exposure

Question 7

live high train high

Answer 7

Athletes train at altitude to achieve the physiological benefits of a decrease in O2 concentration and train at altitude to obtain adaptations
Usually requires going to at least 2-3km above sea level to live and train for 3-4 weeks
As a result, reduced benefits in performance due to reduced training intensity over a prolonged period (DETRAINING)
Is best suited to teams that are performing at high altitudes and not sea level

Question 8

live low train high

Answer 8

Athletes live at sea level but train in hypobaric chambers or altitude tents to simulate hypoxic environments
There is no evidence that this method effectively gains the chronic adaptions achieved by using LH,TL method.

Question 9

acute adaptations

Answer 9

first 24hrs
Increased respiratory rate
Less oxygen in the air so you must breathe more
ncreased tidal volume
Nausea/headaches/dizziness
Increased heart rate and cardiac output during rest and submaximal exercise
Less oxygen in the air so heart pumps more blood
Decreased plasma volume to increase concentration of haemoglobin in the blood

Question 10

chronic adaptations

Answer 10

+72 hrs
Increased haematocrit (%RBC in blood is increased)
Increased mitochondria
Increased aerobic enzymes
Increased capillaries
Increased myoglobin
Increases rate of ATP production

Question 11

returning to sea level

Answer 11

Within 7 days
Hyperventilation is not required at sea level as more oxygen is avaliable im the atmosphere
After 2-4 weeks
Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels are back to normal
Increased mitochondria, capillary and enzyme levels are throught to last longer, provided training is maintained