Application of Altitude/Hypoxic Training by Elite Athletes

Abstract

At the Olympic level, differences in performance are typically less than 0.5%. This helps explain why many contemporary elite endurance athletes in summer and winter sport incorporate some form of altitude/hypoxic training within their year-round training plan, believing that it will provide the "competitive edge" to succeed at the Olympic level. The purpose of this paper is to describe the practical application of altitude/hypoxic training as used by elite athletes. Within the general framework of the paper, both anecdotal and scientific evidence will be presented relative to the efficacy of several contemporary altitude/hypoxic training models and devices currently used by Olympic-level athletes for the purpose of legally enhancing performance. These include the three primary altitude/hypoxic training models: 1) live high+train high (LH+TH), 2) live high+train low (LH+TL), and 3) live low+train high (LL+TH). The LH+TL model will be examined in detail and will include its various modifications: natural/terrestrial altitude, simulated altitude via nitrogen dilution or oxygen filtration, and hypobaric normoxia via supplemental oxygen. A somewhat opposite approach to LH+TL is the altitude/hypoxic training strategy of LL+TH, and data regarding its efficacy will be presented. Recently, several of these altitude/hypoxic training strategies and devices underwent critical review by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for the purpose of potentially banning them as illegal performance-enhancing substances/methods. This paper will conclude with an update on the most recent statement from WADA regarding the use of simulated altitude devices.

Resistance Training Using Different Hypoxic Training Strategies: a Basis for Hypertrophy and Muscle Power Development

“…Current training trends in hypoxia combine different types and dosages of hypoxia (H) resulting in numerous possible combinations [11, 12]:Hypobaric hypoxia (HH), or altitude, produces the hypoxic effect (decrease the availability of oxygen in the tissues) by reducing the barometric pressure, mainly by ascent to altitude or by using hypobaric chambers. The reduction in barometric pressure reduces air resistance to the movement as a result of lower air density.…”

The effect of acute hypoxia on heat shock protein 72 expression and oxidative stress in vivo

“…The onset of hypoxia within the tissues initiates a rapid burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, which upon reperfusion is greatly increased compared to the initial ROS accumulation (Zuo and Clanton 2005). Conversely to a shortening of lifespan, hypoxia has been used positively within clinical populations (Serebrovskaya 2002;BrahimiHorn and Pouyssegur 2007) and athletes (Levine and Stray-gundersen 1997), where its applications for augmenting athletic performance are becoming better understood (Levine 2002;Wilber 2007).…”

Effect of intermittent hypoxia on hematological parameters after recombinant human erythropoietin administration

“…The use of normobaric hypoxic chambers to improve athletes' performance has become controversial (Levine and Stray-Gundersen 1997;Wilber 2007a;Wilber et al 2007).…”