Training to Compete at Altitude:Natural Altitude or Simulated Live High:Train Low?
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceBy purchasing this content you agree and accept the terms and conditions
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.
Carr is with the Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia. Garvican-Lewis, Saunders, and Gore are with Physiology, and Humberstone, the Combat Centre, Australian Inst of Sport, Bruce, ACT, Australia. Garvican-Lewis is with the Mary Mackillop Inst for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Vallance is with Physical Preparation, Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Maribyrnong, VIC, Australia, and Athletics Australia, Albert Park, VIC, Australia. Drake is with England Athletics, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Gore is with the Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.
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