Siegler, J. S. McCarthy, J. P., Wyatt, F. B., Faria, E. W., & Robergs, R. A. (2003). Physiological threshold associations at varying levels of hypobaric hypoxia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 1978.

The influence of altitude on threshold values for male cyclists living and training at 1,500 m were studied. Ss (N = 10) performed a ramped maximal cycle ergometer test at three altitudes: 760, 620, and 531 Torr (mm of mercury).

Power output significantly decreased as altitude increased for each condition. Relative and absolute peak power output were significantly different between altitudes. No significant differences were found between altitudes for relative threshold values. Only ventilatory threshold demonstrated significant differences between altitudes because the volume of ventilatory equivalents decreased significantly with increasing altitude.

Implication. Peak power and ventilatory threshold are influenced by increasing altitude.

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