ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS - ALTITUDE 2

Question 1

Define Altitude acclimatisation

Answer 1

Describes the improved physiological response to altitude hypoxia

Question 2

List all 3 methods of Altitude acclimatisation

Answer 2

1. Live high, Train low
2. Live high, Train high
3. Live low, Train high

Question 3

Define Method 1 – Live high, train low

Answer 3

This involves daily intermittent exposure to artificial altitude environments whilst maintaining normal training intensities

Question 4

Explain why Method 1 – Live high, train low is more beneficial

Answer 4

This method is more beneficial as it allows players to maintain their training intensity while benefiting from altitude exposure and its associated physiological adaptations.

Question 5

Define Method 2 - Live high, train high

Answer 5

Athletes live at altitude to achieve the physiological benefits of a decrease in O2 concentration and train at altitude to obtain adaptations

Question 6

On average, what altitude and for how long should the person live and train for

Answer 6

• 2000-3000m above sea level
• around 3-4 weeks

Question 7

As a results what and why occurs from this method to the athlete

Answer 7

• Acute mountain sickness often occurs due to the body coming to terms with the hypoxic stress placed on the body

Question 8

As a result of this sickness what is the athlete usually required to do then placing even more of what on the athlete

Answer 8

• Athlete is required to stay longer, this then placing logistical and financial stress on the athlete

Question 9

Over a prolonged period what is reduced

Answer 9

• Reduced benefits in performance due to reduced training intensity

Question 10

Define Method 3 – Live low, train high

Answer 10

Athletes live at sea level but train in hypobaric chambers or altitude tents to simulate a hypoxic environment.

Question 11

Why is Method 3 – Live low, train high is a skeptical topic

Answer 11

There is no evidence that this method effectively gains the chronic adaptations achieved by using the “live high, train low” method.

Question 12

List at least 4 Acute adaptations (first 24 hrs) in Altitude acclimatisation

Answer 12

• Increased Respiratory rate
• Increased Tidal Volume
• Increased Nausea/headaches/dizziness
• Increased HR and Stroke Volume during rest and submaximal exercise
• Decrease plasma volumes to increase con. of hemoglobin in the blood

Question 13

List at least 4 Chronic adaptations (72 hrs+)

Answer 13

• Increased Haematocrit
• Increased Mitochondria
• Increased aerobic enzymes
• Increased capillaries
• Increased myoglobin

Question 14

What happens after 7 days after altitude

Answer 14

Hyperventilation is not required at sea level as more oxygen is available in the atmosphere.

Question 15

What happens after After 2-4 weeks
after altitude

Answer 15

• Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels are back to normal
• Increased Mitochondria, capillary and enzyme levels are thought to last longer, provided training is maintained

Question 16

At sea level what is the barometric pressure of the air

Answer 16

760mmHg

Question 17

At Mexico City what is the barometric pressure of the air

Answer 17

585mmHg

Question 18

At Mt. Everest what is the barometric pressure of the air

Answer 18

231mmHg