Training/performing At Altitude

Question 1

What is altitude training?

Answer 1

Training performed at high altitude to prepare an athlete’s body to cope with a reduced supply of oxygen

Question 2

What happens in the atmosphere at higher altitude?

Answer 2

> atmospheric pressure decreases,
air has a reduced partial pressure of oxygen
so less is available for use by the body

Question 3

What happens to the body at high altitude?

Answer 3

> feel out of breath
breathing rate increases
lung volume increases
gas exchange decreases
heart rate increases
blood plasma volume decreases
blood O2 concentration decreases
SV and CO decreases
reduced power output
VO2 max decreases

Question 4

What are the benefits of altitude training?

Answer 4

> increased red blood cell count
increase in haemoglobin
increased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
increased myoglobin in muscles
increased muscle capillarisation
increased muscle cell mitochondria

Question 5

How does an athlete prepare for performance at altitude?

Answer 5

> endurance based programme
arrive 4 weeks ahead of competition to allow adaptations and cope with altitude sickness
increase training to full intensity after one week
reduced training in final couple days
optimum adaptations 2-14 days of return to sea level

Question 6

What are the benefits of the live high, train low method?

Answer 6

Allows athlete to experience change in altitude but maintain intensity of training

Question 7

What are the benefits of live high train high method?

Answer 7

Allows athlete to fully experience the change in altitude, however may struggle to maintain intensity

Question 8

What are the benefits of the live low train high method?

Answer 8

Allows the athlete to experience performance at a high altitude, whilst gaining better recovery

Question 9

What are altitude (hypobaric) chambers?

Answer 9

> mimic effects of training at high altitude
simulates hypoxia (low oxygen)