Comprehensive preparation strategies for a world-class endurance athlete competing in major international competitions in hot environmental conditions : A case study

Journal article


Carr, Amelia, Sharma, Avish P., Ross, Megan Louise Rhys and Vallance, Brent S.. (2023). Comprehensive preparation strategies for a world-class endurance athlete competing in major international competitions in hot environmental conditions : A case study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 19(3), pp. 1207-1222. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231194126
AuthorsCarr, Amelia, Sharma, Avish P., Ross, Megan Louise Rhys and Vallance, Brent S.
Abstract

Purpose: To document a world-class race walking athlete's preparation for the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships (Doha, Qatar), including periodized training, physiological data, cooling strategies and nutritional practices.

Methods: Physiological data (VO2max, mL·kg−1·min−1; submaximal economy, mL·kg−1·min−1; and %VO2max), training volume (km) and intensity (min·km−1) were recorded (January–May 2019). Additional training strategies and interventions (altitude training, heat acclimation/acclimatization, cooling methods and pre- and during-race nutrition) were described (February–October 2019). Performances in IAAF-sanctioned 20 km races were also reported.

Results: The athlete's highest VO2max result was 74.6 mL·kg−1·min−1, and his highest 4 mmol·L−1 walking speed was 15.7 km·h−1. The best submaximal economy measures (the lowest proportional oxygen use at 13 km·h−1) were 48.4 mL·kg−1·min−1 (65.2% VO2max). The best performance outcome was a bronze medal-winning performance at the 2019 IAAF World Championships (32°C; 77% RH). Six blocks of altitude training were performed (119 days). Five blocks of heat acclimatization training (127 days), one block of heat acclimation training (8 days) and two blocks of post-training passive heat sessions (16 days) were completed. Internal and external cooling strategies were used, and the athlete's nutritional intake focused on carbohydrate and fluid intake prior to and during races, pre-race supplementation with sodium bicarbonate using chronic and acute protocols, caffeine supplementation during races and pre-race hyperhydration.

Conclusion: The strategies used by this elite athlete included repeated heat acclimation, heat acclimatization, passive heat exposure, hypoxic training and heat mitigation strategies. Similar strategies may provide benefit to elite athletes preparing for major international competitions in hot conditions.

KeywordsAcclimatization; altitude training ; cooling strategies; heat acclimation; nutrition ; periodization ; race walking
Year01 Jan 2023
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Science & Coaching
Journal citation19 (3), pp. 1207-1222
PublisherSage Publications Ltd. (UK)
ISSN2048-397X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231194126
Web address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17479541231194126
Open accessOpen access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1207-1222
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License
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Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online09 Oct 2023
Publication process dates
Deposited25 Nov 2024
Additional information

© The Author(s) 2023.

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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