Moderate altitude training (approximately 1800 to 2600 m) has become popular to improve competition performance in swimming both at altitude and sea level. When swimmers are exposed acutely to moderate altitude, a number of physiological responses occur that can comprise performance at altitude; these include increased ventilation, increased heart rate, decreased stroke volume, reduced plasma volume, and lower maximal aerobic power. The aim of the study therefore was to examine the influence of moderate altitude training on lactate curve during three weeks and after the exposure to altitude training at 1900 m (La Loma, Mexico). We also examined the effects of altitude training on selected blood parameters before and after the training at altitude. In the study participated four high competition-level swimmers, all of them were participants at Olympic games in Bejing. Results: 1. Selected training on moderate altitude surprisingly didn't influence lactate and OBLA thresholds if average values were considered. 2. Individual responses of lactate curves above OBLA thresholds on the altitude were very diversified. 3. Selected blood parameters which influence oxygen transport capacity of blood were also unchanged after altitude exposure in comparision to sea levels before the altitude training. Conclusions: 1. Very differentiated response to altitude exposure sholud be expected. Coaches should take into considerations this individual response when training is planed. 2. Major differences at lactate curves were found above OBLA thresholds during exposure to altitude. 3. Isn't that anaerobic performance and consequently long terme anaerobic changes (because of altitude exposure) should be taken more into consideration by the scientists.
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