A fair amount of controversy exist with regard to the benefits of altitude training for improved sea-level performance (Friedmann-Bette, 2008). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine what influence a three week long altitude training program at 3200m above sea-level have on certain haematological and immunological components as well as the distance and sprint running performance of middle and long distance athletes. Methods: Nine middle and long distance runners of the university`s athletics team were recruited to participate in the study. On the first pre-test day athletes completed a questionnaire after which their body weight and stature were taken. After a warm-up period, blood samples were taken (pre 1), followed by the execution of either a 2- or 5-min distance-in-time-test. Blood samples were again taken after completion of the test (pre 2). A rest period of 5 minutes followed after which a 300m-sprint test was completed and more blood samples taken (pre 3). The athletes then participated in a training camp for three weeks at an altitude of 3200m above sea level. Following the three weeks, each of the athletes were again subjected to the last mentioned tests (post 1, post 2 and post 3). The blood samples were analysed for the following haematological and immunological components: blood lactate, whole blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin blood content (HGB), hematocrit blood count (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin volume (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration volume (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet count (PLT), neutrophil (NE), lymphocyte (LY), eosinophil (EO), basophil (BA) and monocyte (MO) blood cell count. Results: Only blood lactate (pre 3 to post 3), RBC (pre 1, 2, 3 to post 1, 2, 3), HGB (pre 1, 2, 3 to post 1, 2, 3), HCT (pre 1, 2, 3 to post 1, 2, 3), MCHC (pre 1, 2 to post 1, 2), PLT (pre 1 to post 1) and MPV (pre 3 to post 3) revealed large practical significant differences between the measurements for the pre- and post-altitude training periods when the effect sizes were determined. None of the other haematological and immunological components or performance related variables obtained large practical significant values in terms of the pre- and post-altitude training differences. Discussion: In conclusion, these results show that a three week long altitude training program at 3200m above sea-level was sufficient in enhancing haematological components which are related to the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, but insufficient in changing the immunological components and to improve the distance and sprint running performances of middle and long distance athletes. Sport scientists, therefore, need to investigate the efficacy of altitude training programs, especially in view of the financial implications of these programs.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.