One of the essential precursors to the increase RBC formation is the release of erythropoietic factor (EPO) by the kidney, hence the (illegal) practice of injecting EPO to boost RBC production. The production of RBCs helps to improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and hence maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max). The resulting decrease in arterial oxygen saturation (hypoxaemia) triggers a cascade of physiological disturbances that ultimately result an increase in the production of red blood cells (RBCs), a process known as polycythaemia. But before exploring this it would be useful to examine the traditional rationale for high-altitude exposure This rests primarily on the haematological (blood) adaptations that occur in humans to a hypoxic (low oxygen) environment.Īscent to high altitude is accompanied by a progressive fall in barometric pressure and an accompanying fall in the partial pressure of oxygen. Peronnet’s analysis ceased in 1991, and the early 1990s marked another watershed in the altitude debate, which may place a different complexion on the outcome. All in all the data suggest that, far from improving endurance performance, altitude training may even have exerted detrimental effect. In fact, this was the longest period between 19 without a new world record and furthermore, the rate of increase in world record and annual best performances was slower after 1968 than before. In 1968 the cream the world’s distance running talent trained altitude in preparation for the Mexico City Olympics despite this, no new world records were set in 1968 or the next four years. He analysed the men’s running speeds corresponding to the world record and 10 best performances per year over 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m from 1956 to 1991 Taking 1968 as the watershed marking the interface between the pre- and post-altitude training eras, he reasoned that if altitude training had made a positive contribution performance, the rate of increase of running speeds should be steeper after this point. Yet the evidence base supporting a beneficial effect altitude exposure for sea-level performance remains flimsy at best.Ī telling analysis of the benefits of altitude exposure for sports performance was undertaken by François Peronnet and published in a letter the editor of the International Journal of Sports Medicine in 1994 (1). During that time, these practices have become an almost essential aspect of the preparation of world-class competitors. The effects of training and, more recently, sleeping at high altitude on athletic performance have been studied in the West for more than 30 years. Is altitude training a waste of time and money?
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