Volume 17(4): February, 2012

ALTITUDE TRAINING 6

This fourth issue of Volume 17 of Coaching Science Abstracts is the sixth issue that reviews articles concerned with altitude training. It adds to the abstracts presented in Volume 2(4), Volume 5(4), Volume 8(4), Volume 11(4), and Volume 14(4). Many of the research problems noted in those issues persist to this day.

[Editor's note: In this and previous issues related to this topic, altitudes greater than 2,500 m are often referenced. It is a rare event where serious sporting competitions are held at altitudes greater than 2,500 m – that being a legacy of the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. For altitudes greater than 3,000 m, the relevance of those studies is more appropriate for mountain climbing and some military activities. When reading these abstracts, this difference should be remembered and exact credence for sports be given to studies that relate findings at altitudes no higher than 2,500 m.]

red line

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    1. ALTITUDE ADAPTATION

  1. BLOOD CHANGES HAPPEN QUICKLY ON EXPOSURE TO ALTITUDE AND THEN SHOW NO FURTHER ADAPTATIONS

    Garvican, L. A., Martin, D. T., Clark, M. A., Quod, M., Stephens, B., Prommer, N., Schmidt, W. F., Impellizzeri, F. M., Rampinini, E., Sassi, A., & Gore, C. J. (2008). The time course of the erythropoietic response to natural altitude training in elite endurance cyclists. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis. Presentation number, 738.

  2. ALTITUDE ADAPTATION DOES NOT CHANGE MOVEMENT MECHANICS

    Laymon, A. S., Lundgren, E. A., McKenzie, J. M., Wilhite, D. P., & Chapman, R. F. (2009). Running economy changes after altitude training: Role of running mechanics. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2360.

  3. IRON SUPPLEMENTATION FAILS TO ALTER RATE OF HEMATOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS TO MODERATE ALTITUDE

    Minares, C., McGregor, J., Ruth, C., Terry, E., Nelson, J. L., Doan, B. K., & Brothers, M. D. (2009). Effect of iron supplementation on hematological adaptations to moderate altitude among former sea-level females. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2363.

  4. BLOOD ADAPTATIONS TAKE 10 WEEKS AT MODERATE ALTITUDE

    McGregor, J., Minares, C., Ruth, C., Pinchak, A., Zupan, M. F., Nelson, J. L., & Brothers, M. D. (2009). Hemoglobin mass and erythrocyte volume adaptations after 10 weeks of altitude in sea level females. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2364.

  5. HEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES OCCUR AFTER LONG-TERM MODERATE-ALTITUDE ADAPTATION

    Brothers, M D., Nelson, J. L., Doan, B. K., Lorenz, M., Zupan, M. F., & Byrnes, W. C.,(2009). Altitude-related difference in hemoglobin mass and blood volumes upon acute exposure to moderate altitude. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2365.

  6. REAL ALTITUDE TRAINING IS MORE IMPACTFUL THAN SIMULATED ALTITUDE TRAINING

    Wu, C. M., Lin, J. C., & Chang, Y. C. (2009). The differences of initial responses between short-term simulated and real altitude training. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 1095.

  7. RESPONSES TO HYPOXIA ARE LIKELY TO BE PERIPHERALLY INFLUENCED

    Ponsot, E., Dufour, S. P., Doutreleau, S., Lonsdorfer-Wolf, E., Lampert, E., Piquard, F., Geny, B., Mettauer, B., Ventura-Clapier, R., & Richard, R. (2009). Do skeletal muscle mitochondria play a role in the reduction of VO2max with moderate hypoxia in endurance athletes? A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  8. THE BODY REACTS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF STRESS WHETHER IT BE SINGLE OR COMBINED STRESSORS

    Girard, O., & Racinais, S. (2009). No cumulative effect of hot and hypoxic environment on thermal, cardiovascular, or metabolic strains during exercise. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  9. HEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSES ARE NON-EXISTENT TO TWO DIFFERENT INTERMITTENT HYPOXIC TRAINING REGIMENS

    Debevec, T., Amon, M., Keramidas, M. E., Kounalakis, S. N., & Mekjavic, I. B. (2009). Hematological responses to two different intermittent hypoxic training regimens. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  10. ALTITUDE TRAINING IMPROVES MUSCLE SATURATION LEVELS

    Ming, H., Hsing-Chou, L., Che-Wen, H., Hsing-Hao, L., Chien-Wen, H., & Chia-Hua, K. (June 03, 2010). Effect of altitude training on muscle oxygen saturation in long distance runners. Presentation 1987 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  11. ALTITUDE ADAPTED TOTAL HEMOGLOBIN MASS IS PARTLY LOST UPON RETURN TO SEA-LEVEL

    Brothers, M. D., Nelson, J. L., Doan, B. K., Zupan, M. F., Prommer, N., Ryan, B., & Byrnes, W. C. (2010). Hematological acclimatization and de-acclimatization of former sea level residents exposed chronically (46 weeks) to moderate altitude. Presentation 1040 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  12. SOME ADAPTATIONS TO ALTITUDE OCCUR INDEPENDENTLY

    LaChapelle, J. A., Grossmann, E. C., Thurston, D., Nelson, J. L., Doan, B. K., & Brothers, M. D. (2010). Altitude-related differences in running economy among sea level residents during 46 weeks at moderate altitude. Presentation 1041 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  13. EXPIRATORY FLOW LIMITED ATHLETES HAVE RESTRICTED RESPONSES TO ALTITUDE EXPOSURE

    Stickford, J. L., Duke, J. W., Laymon, A. S., Stager, J. M., Chapman, R. F., Stray-Gundersen, J., & Devine, B. J. (2011). Does expiratory flow limitation mitigate performance gains in elite distance runners after chronic altitude training? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 789.

  14. ALTERNATING DAYS AND CONTINUOUS EXPOSURES TO ALTITUDE LARGELY PRESENT SIMILAR ADAPTATIONS

    Zupan, M. F., Lennemann, L., Herrera, M., & Walker, T. (2011). Impact of alternating days of intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) on physical performance at sea level, hypobaric hypoxic, and normobaric hypoxic environments. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 791.

  15. HIGH-ALTITUDE TRAINING STIMULATES HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE

    Anderson, B. D., Turk, D. E., Gotshall, R. W., Hickey, M. S., Israel, R. G., & Chicco, A. J. (2011). A single high-altitude training bout improves high-altitude aerobic performance following one week of low-altitude training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 1381.

  16. ADAPTATIONS OCCUR AT LOW ALTITUDES IN TRAINED ATHLETES

    Ebert, T. R., Brothers, M. D., Nelson, J. L., Flyget, N., Martin, D. T., West, G. M., & Gore, C. J. (2011). Effects of moderate altitude training on total hemoglobin mass and hematology in world class sprint cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 1382.

    2. ALTITUDE AND PERFORMANCE

  17. ALTITUDE TRAINING AND HYPOXIC TRAINING INEFFECTIVE WITH ELITE ATHLETES

    Bonetti, D. L., & Hopkins, W. G. (2009). Sea-level exercise performance following adaptation to hypoxia: A meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 39, 107-127.

  18. ALTITUDE ADAPTATION IS SLOW AND PERFORMANCE CHANGES ARE LIMITED

    Brothers, M. D., Doan, B. K., Wile, A. L., Weinstein, J. L., Zupan, M. F., Wilber, R. L., & Byrnes, W. C. (2008). Chronic hematological and physiological adaptations following 48 weeks of moderate altitude residence. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis. Presentation number, 735.

  19. PERFORMANCE CHANGES AT ALTITUDE ARE NOT ACCOUNTED FOR BY ALTERED HEMOGLOBIN MASS OR OTHER HEMODYNAMICS

    Nelson, J. L., Doan, B. K., Ryan, B., Byrnes, W. C., & Brothers, M. D. (2009). Relationship between total hemoglobin mass and aerobic performance of sea level residents exposed to 2210m. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2362.

  20. HYPOXIC MANIPULATION IS CLAIMED TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE BUT NOT VO2max

    Salgado, R. M., Parker, D. L., & Quintana, R. (2009). The effects of hypoxic manipulation on VO2max and sea-level performance: A meta-analysis. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2789.

  21. SUDDEN ALTITUDE EXPOSURE DECREASES PERFORMANCE DESPITE THE EFFORT LEVEL REMAINING CONSISTENT

    Beidleman, B. A., Muza, S. R., Fulco, C. S., Lammi, E., Staab, J. E., & Cymerman, A. (2009). Self-selected exercise intensity decreases but perception of effort remains constant during a cycle time-trial at altitude. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2356.

  22. SILDENAFIL DOES NOT ENHANCE PERFORMANCE AT ALTITUDE IN MEN OR WOMEN

    Kressler, J., Stoutenberg, M., Roos, B., Friedlander, A. L., Viskochill, R., & Jacobs, K. A. (2009). Sildenafil does not improve exercise performance during acute hypoxia in trained men or women. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 1097.

  23. CREATINE KINASE UNRELATED TO PERFORMANCE AT ALTITUDE IN ELITE RUNNERS

    Sperlich, B., Achtzehn, S., de Marees, M., & Mester, J. (2009). Creatine kinase monitoring and performance during three weeks of high altitude training in elite middle and long distance runners. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  24. NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT ALTITUDE TRAINING AS BEING BENEFICIAL TO SWIMMING PERFORMANCE

    Rodríguez, F.A. (2010). Training at real and simulated altitude in swimming: Too high expectations? A paper presented at the XIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, Oslo, June 16–19, 2010.

  25. ALTITUDE RUNNING IMPAIRED BY INDIVIDUALS' ARTERIAL OXYHEMOGLOBIN SATURATION CHARACTERISTICS

    Chapman, R. F., Stager, J. M., Tanner, D. A., Stray-Gundersen, J., & Levine, B. D. (June 03, 2010). Impairment of 3,000 m racing performance at moderate altitude is influenced by VO2 and SaO2 maintenance. Presentation 1989 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  26. A STUDY REPORT THAT SHOULD BE IGNORED

    Fudge, B. W., Spilsbury, K., Ingham, S. A., Pringle, S. A., Pringle, J. S., & Jones, A. M. (2011). Altitude training may improve subsequent endurance performance in elite runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 787.

    3. LIVE HIGH (Hypobaric Hypoxia) - TRAIN LOW (Normobaric Normoxia)

  27. SEVEN DAYS OF LIVE-HIGH/TRAIN-LOW EXPOSURE DOES NOT CHANGE IMPORTANT PHYSIOLOGICAL OR PERFORMANCE FACTORS

    Ratz, I. K., Coggan, A. R., & McGregor, S. J. (2009). Anaerobic and performance adaptations to a “live high-train low” approach using simulated altitude exposure. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 739.

  28. LIVE HIGH/TRAIN HIGH EFFECTS HAVE ONLY A TRANSITORY EFFECT UPON PERFORMANCE

    Robertson, E. Y., Saunders, P. U., Pyne, D. B., Gore, C. J., & Anson, J. M. (2009). Effectiveness of intermittent training in hypoxia combined with live high/train low. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  29. PROGRESSIVE INTRODUCTION TO NORMOBARIC HYPOXIA DOES NOT DISTURB SLEEP

    Fulco, C. S., Demes, R., Muza,S., Beidleman, B., Jones, J., Staab, J., Elliot, L., & Cymerman, A. (June 03, 2010). Sleeping in normobaric hypoxia (760 Torr; 14.4.-16.2% O2) did not cause increased restlessness or AMS. Presentation 1977 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  30. LIVE-HIGH/TRAIN-LOW IS THE ONLY MODEL THAT MIGHT BENEFIT SEA-LEVEL PERFORMANCES

    Salgado, R., Parker, D., & Quintana, R. (June 03, 2010). An evaluation on the effectiveness of the different hypoxic manipulation models: A meta-analysis. Presentation 1991 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  31. ADDITIONAL LIVE-LOW/TRAIN-HIGH SESSIONS DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO ANY PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT AND MAY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

    Lecoultre, V., Tappy, L., Schneiter, P. H., & Schutz, Y. (2009). Effect of high-intensity training in hypoxia on cycling performance and lactate metabolism. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

    4. GENERAL

  32. RE-BREATHING TRAINING ASSISTS AEROBIC CYCLING PERFORMANCE

    Babcock, C. J., & Kirby, T. E. (2008). The effect of intermittent simulated altitude exposure via re-breathing on cycling performance. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis. Presentation number, 733.

  33. FEMALES PRESERVE MORE WORK CAPACITY THAN MALES WHEN EXPOSED TO NORMOBARIC HYPOXIA

    Jacobs, K. A., Stoutenberg, M., Kressler, J., Roos, B., & Friedlander, A. L. (2009). Trained women demonstrate greater preservation of peak exercise capacity during acute hypoxia than trained men. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2121.

  34. SLEEP (RECOVERY) IS OFTEN DISRUPTED IN NORMOBARIC HYPOXIC TENTS

    Pedlar, C. R., Godfrey, R., & Whyte, G. P. (2009). The effect of sleeping in a normobaric hypoxic tent for one week upon sleep quality. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2125.

  35. VENTILATION ACCLIMATIZATION CONTRIBUTES TO VO2max INCREASE AFTER ADAPTATION TO ALTITUDE

    Wilhite, D. P., Laymon, A. S., McKenzie, J. M., Lundgren, E. A., & Chapman, R. F. (2009). Maximal oxygen consumption changes after altitude training: Role of ventilatory acclimatization. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2357.

  36. INCREASED VENTILATORY WORK INCREASES OXYGEN UPTAKE AFTER ALTITUDE ACCLIMATIZATION

    Lundgren, E. A., Wilhite, D. P., Laymon, A. S., McKenzie, J. M., & Chapman, R. F. (2009). Running economy changes after altitude training: Role of ventilatory acclimatization. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2359.

  37. TOTAL LEAN BODY MASS IS RELATED TO TOTAL HEMOGLOBIN MASS

    Schmidt, W. F., Doerfler, C., Wachsmuth, N., Voelzke, C., Treff, S., Steinacker, J., Niess, A., & Prommer, N. (2009). Influence of body mass, body composition, and performance state on total hemoglobin mass. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2790.

  38. ACTIVE RECOVERY CLEARS LACTATE FASTER THAN PASSIVE RECOVERY AT SEA LEVEL AND ALTITUDE

    Davis, J. E., Swanton, S. A., Gaskell, G. L., & Walsh, K. (2009). Effect of moderate altitude on lactate clearance during active and passive recovery. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2898.

  39. SILDENAFIL DOES NOT ALTER SIMULATED ALTITUDE RESPONSES IN WOMEN

    Cisneros, I. E., Bettencort, J., Joy, R., Zierke, J., Parker, D., & Quintana, R. (2009). Effects of sildenafil on VO2max in trained women with moderate normobaric hypoxia. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 1096.

  40. REACTION TIME PROCESSING COMPONENT IS RELATED TO AVAILABLE CEREBRAL OXYGEN

    Ando, S., Yamada, Y., & Kokubu, M. (2009). Reaction time to peripheral visual stimuli during exercise under hypoxia. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  41. HYPOXIA DOES NOT STIMULATE HORMONAL CHANGES TO PROMOTE MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY

    Kurobe, K., Huang, Z., Ozawa, G., Tamaki, H., & Ogita, F. (2009). IGF-I and hormonal responses to arm-curl exercises under different hypoxic conditions. A paper presented at the 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27.

  42. SUPRAMAXIMAL HYPOXIC CYCLING DOES NOT ALTER ANAEROBIC CAPACITY

    Saga, N., Naito, H., & Katamoto, S. (June 03, 2010). Effects of 4-week supramaximal exercise training under normobaric hypoxia on anaerobic energy release. Presentation 1988 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  43. SILDENAFIL DOES NOT IMPROVE ENDURANCE PERFORMANCES AT MODERATE OR HIGH ALTITUDES

    Stoutenberg, M., Kressler, J., Roos, B., Friedlander, A. L., Viskochill, R., Signorile, J. F., & Jacobs, K. A.(June 03, 2010). Sildenafil does not improve performance at simulated high or moderate altitudes in men or women. Presentation 1992 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  44. SILDENAFIL DOES NOT AFFECT ENDURANCE EXERCISE CAPACITY AT SIMULATED ALTITUDE

    Kressler, J., Stoutenberg, M., Roos, B., Friedlander, A. L., Perry, A. C., Signorile, J., Viskochill, R. & Jacobs, K. A. (2010). Sildenafil does not improve peak exercise capacity during acute hypoxia in trained men or women. Presentation 1036 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

  45. MOVEMENT EFFICIENCY IS LOWER AT ALTITUDE WHEN COMPARED TO SEA-LEVEL

    Noordhof, D., A., Schoots, T., Hoekert, D., de Koning, J. J., & Foster, C. (2011). Gross efficiency at sea level and moderate altitude. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5). Supplement abstract 792.

Return to Coaching Science Abstracts' Main Table of Contents.

red line