After the Olympics in Mexico City (1968), altitude training has become a fundamental part of the training programs for most top-class endurance athletes .It usually consists of at least 3 weeks of altitude training at 2,000 - 2,200 metres above sea level, 2-3 times per year, i.e. 1st in January, 2nd in March before an important event (e.g. a spring marathon), 3rd a 28-day period 20-30 days before the season`s main competition. A typical such program for a professional endurance athlete would be divided into three parts. 1st: in which specific emphasis is placed on aerobic endurance training combined with speed training (5-7 days); 2nd: increased amount and intensity by performing aerobic high-intensity interval training (not many speed endurance training sessions); 3rd: increased intensity with 2-3 days of tapering before returning to sea level. Experience has shown that the strongest athletes are able to maintain almost the same exercise intensity performed at sea level: this might explain why nowadays top class runners both train and live at high altitude (i.e. at 2,200m). This in fact could lead to better physiological adaptation being maintained over a longer period of time. In addition, no differences were observed between Caucasians and those native to high altitudes. However, even though a number of studies have focused on the biological adaptations in response to high-altitude training (Saunders, 2004), the role of super- hypoxia (i.e. exposure above 3,500m) in top-class endurance athletes is unclear. Still to be fully elucidated, is whether or not any mechanism underlying the enhanced performance would be dependent on increased erythropoiesis (or haemoglobin mass)(Heinicke,2003). Furthermore, further research is needed to better investigate the effects following a tapering period at high altitude as well as to provide more information regarding the optimum time span between the end of a period at altitude and a competition event. Conclusion: The preparation of top class endurance athletes includes 2-3 periods of altitude training per year, each consisting of 3-4 weeks` training at 2,200m above sea level. During these periods the intensity practised in training sessions normally performed at sea level is almost maintained.
© Copyright 2005 International Congress Mountain & Sport. Updating study and research from laboratory to field. 11th-12th November 2005. Rovereto (TN) - Italy. Programme and book of abstracts. Veröffentlicht von Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Bioingegneria e Scienze Motorie. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.