Training at Altitude Flashcards
What happens to the partial pressure of oxygen as you go up in elevation?
PO2 decreases.
What happens to VO2max as you go up in elevation?
Decreases.
Acclimatization vs. Acclimation
Acclimatization refers to adaptations from changes in natural environment. Acclimation refers to adaptations produced in a controlled lab.
What is an immediate pulmonary adjustment to altitude hypoxia?
-Bodily fluids become more alkaline b/c of a reduction in carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation.
What is an immediate cardiovascular reaction to submaximal heart rate and cardiac output from altitude hypoxia?
They increase.
What are 3 longterm hematologic adjustments to altitude hypoxia?
-Increase in hemoglobin concentration
-Increase in total number of red blood
-Decrease in plasma volume
In submaximal exercise, does increased cardiac output compensate for lower blood oxygen?
Yes. But not at maximal effort.
What happens to lactate levels after several weeks of hypoxic exposure?
Decreases.
What is the lactate paradox?
There is a reduction in lactate accumulation when tissue oxidation should be increasing. However, tissue oxidation does not increase.
How can you explain the lactate paradox?
Reduced output of epinephrine. It is a glucose-mobilizing hormone, so a decrease in this would dimish lactate formation.
How long does it take to become acclimated to higher elevations?
First 2300 meters should take about 2 weeks. Every 610 m after that takes about a week.
How long does it take for acclimatization adaptations to dissipate after returning to sea level?
2-3 weeks.
Does endurance training at altitude improve sea-level performance?
No.
What is the best altitude training method?
Live-high, Train-low
Why is live-high, train-low optimal?
You get an increase in VO2 max, and training at near-sea level prevents impairment of systolic function (reduced maximum cardiac output and stroke volume) that you normally see at high altitude.
