Many elite athletes undertake some form of altitude training in an attempt to gain small improvements in fitness and performance that provide a competitive advantage. Overall, natural or simulated live high/train low (LHTL) can offer ~1-2% improvements in performance [1]. For athletes who cannot undertake several weeks of LHTL, an alternative approach of performing some but not all training sessions in hypoxia (train high, TH) can elicit hypoxia-induced adaptations and allow athletes to maintain high training loads [2]. No previous study has addressed a combined approach of LHTL plus TH (LH/TH) to enhance performance gains in a single altitude camp. Methods Seventeen well-trained male (VO2max: 68.6 ± 5.0 ml/kg/min, mean ± SD) and female (VO2max: 55.5 ± 3.1 ml/kg/min) runners trained in normobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks (2200 m, 4 times per week). During this period the LH/TH group (n=8) spent 14 h/d in a hypoxic chamber (3000 m) while the TH group (n=9) lived near sea-level (600 m). All other training was performed near sea-level (600 m). Laboratory (treadmill, VO2max) and field (3-km time trial) performance tests were completed before, and within 2-4 days of altitude training. A third 3-km time trial was completed 2 weeks later. Haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured twice before, weekly and one week after altitude training. Data were log-transformed for the analyses to reduce bias arising from non-uniformity of error. Mean percent effects and their 90% confidence limits (CL) were estimated via the unequal-variances t statistic computed for change scores between pre- and post-tests [3]. Results The LH/TH group substantially improved VO2max (4.8%; ±2.8%, mean; ±90% CL), Hbmass (3.6%; ±2.4%) and time trial performance (-1.1%; ±1.0%) immediately after altitude training. The TH group improved VO2max (2.2%; ±1.8%), with only trivial changes in Hbmass (-0.7%; ±2.0%) and time trial performance (-0.1%; ±1.0%). The magnitude of improvements in the LH/TH group was substantially greater than TH: improved VO2max (2.6%; ±3.2%), increased Hbmass (4.3%; ±3.2%), and faster time trial performance (-0.9%; ±1.4%). Neither group substantially improved 3-km time trial two weeks after altitude training compared with the pre-test (LH/TH: -0.4%; ±1.3%, TH: -0.6%; ±1.1%). Conclusion Three weeks of combined LH/TH can induce substantial increases in VO2max and Hbmass, and trivial to small improvements in time trial performance. Three weeks of TH alone was sufficient to improve VO2max, but Hbmass and time trial performance were essentially unchanged. LH/TH elicits greater enhancements in physiological capacities that underpin competitive performance compared with TH, however, transfer of these physiological adaptations to 3-km time trial performance was more variable.
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Veröffentlicht von The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.