The scientific evidence associated with altitude acclimatization and performance in elite swimmers is reviewed extensively in the yet-to-be-published paper, "Altitude training and elite swimmers." The summary of the article is mainly in point form. Those points are listed below for their import is obvious: 1.Exposure to altitude produces reactive changes which are only specific to altitude. 2.Predominantly endurance performances at moderate altitude never reach levels that are possible at sea-level. 3.The shorter the stay at altitude, the less marked and more transient will be any acclimatization changes. 4.Physiological changes alone may be insufficient to fully enhance performance at altitude. 5.The lower the altitude, the less marked will be the acclimatization response. 6.Individuals vary greatly in their responsiveness to altitude stress. Some may never acclimate. 7.The eventual physiological acclimatizations that are exhibited at altitudes of more than 3,000 m are: - increased ventilation and blood hemoglobin, and - enhanced oxygen extraction in the muscles. These changes need to be qualified. - Increased ventilation could be detrimental to performance during the transient re-introduction stage to sea-level. - Red blood cell volume may increase, if the exposure duration is greater than three to four weeks, but that association with an unchanged VO2max is not understood. - Changes at the cellular level are likely to be moderated by the severity of the altitude exposure. 8. Stages of acclimatization take time. Less than one month is not likely to provoke a fully acclimated systemic response. 9. Oxygen delivery at altitude is likely to be less than at sea-level even after full acclimatization. 10.An athlete's physiology changes to acclimate to altitude but those changes do not support elevated sea-level performances. 11.The metabolism in exercise and recovery changes at altitude (glycolytic activity is increased). 12.Altitude training requires increased fluid, carbohydrate, and iron intake. 13.The energy contributions at a particular swimming speed are different at altitude to those at sea-level. 14.The neuromuscular skill patterns at a particular swimming speed are altered at altitude because of the need to recruit muscle fibers that provide energy through glycolysis. 15.The economy of swimming movements at sea-level could be disrupted by the changes provoked by altitude acclimatization. 16.The reduction in training volume and intensity associated with altitude acclimatization detracts from achieving peak sea-level performances. 17.The opinions of experts and research results do not support any benefit to be gained from altitude training for sea-level performance in trained swimmers. 18.Neither the principle of specific acclimatization nor the principle of specific training is accommodated by altitude training for sea-level performances. These factors lead to the conclusion that altitude training is not an avenue for enhancing the sea-level performances of highly-trained swimmers. The practice of conducting altitude training camps for elite swimmers is not justified on either physiological grounds or performance benefits.
© Copyright 1996 Carlile Coaches' Forum. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.