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Training to compete at altitude: Natural altitude or simulated live high: train low?
Carr, Amelia J. Garvican-Lewis, Laura A. Vallance, Brent S. Drake, Andrew P. Saunders, Philo U. Humberstone, Clare E. Gore, Christopher J.
Carr, Amelia J.
Garvican-Lewis, Laura A.
Vallance, Brent S.
Drake, Andrew P.
Saunders, Philo U.
Humberstone, Clare E.
Gore, Christopher J.
Abstract
Purpose: To compare the effects of natural altitude training (NAT) and simulated (SIM) live high:train low altitude training on road-race walking performance (min), as well as treadmill threshold walking speed (km·h−1) at 4 mmol·L−1 and maximal oxygen consumption, at 1380 m. Methods: Twenty-two elite-level male (n = 15) and female (n = 7) race walkers completed 14 d of NAT at 1380 m (n = 7), SIM live high:train low at 3000:600 m (n = 7), or control conditions (600-m altitude; CON, n = 8). All preintervention and postintervention testing procedures were conducted at 1380 m and consisted of an incremental treadmill test, completed prior to a 5 × 2-km road-race walking performance test. Differences between groups were analyzed via mixed-model analysis of variance and magnitude-based inferences, with a substantial change detected with >75% likelihood of exceeding the smallest worthwhile change. Results: The improvement in total performance time for the 5 × 2-km test in NAT was not substantially different from SIM but was substantially greater (85% likely) than CON. The improvement in percentage decrement in the 5 × 2-km performance test in NAT was greater than in both SIM (93% likely) and CON (93% likely). The increase in maximal oxygen consumption was substantially greater (91% likely) in NAT than in SIM. Improvement in threshold walking speed was substantially greater than CON for both SIM (91% likely) and NAT (90% likely). Conclusions: Both NAT and SIM may allow athletes to achieve reasonable acclimation prior to competition at low altitude.
Keywords
hypoxic training, elite athletes, acclimation, endurance, performance
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Book
Volume
14
Issue
4
Page Range
509-517
Article Number
ACU Department
Centre for Exercise and Nutrition
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled