Effect of an Eleven-Day Altitude Training Program on Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance in Adolescent Runners

Abstract

Background and Objectives: We evaluated the effect of an eleven-day altitude training camp on aerobic and anaerobic fitness in trained adolescent runners. Materials and Methods: Twenty adolescent (14–18 yrs) middle- and long-distance runners (11 males and 9 females; 16.7 ± 0.8 yrs), with at least two years of self-reported consistent run training, participated in this study. Eight of the subjects (4 females/4 males) constituted the control group, whereas twelve subjects (5 females/7 males) took part in a structured eleven-day altitude training camp, and training load was matched between groups. Primary variables of interest included changes in aerobic (VO2max) and anaerobic (30 s Wingate test) power. We also explored the relationships between running velocity and blood lactate levels before and after the altitude training camp. Results: Following 11 days of altitude training, desirable changes (p < 0.01) in VO2max (+13.6%), peak relative work rate (+9.6%), and running velocity at various blood lactate concentrations (+5.9%–9.6%) were observed. Meanwhile, changes in Wingate anaerobic power (+5.1%) were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Short duration altitude appears to yield meaningful improvements in aerobic but not anaerobic power in trained adolescent endurance runners.

Superior Adaptations in Adolescent Runners Using Heart Rate Variability (HRV)-Guided Training at Altitude

“…It is also important to note that while the training loads were manipulated differentially between subjects participating in the HRV-guided training group, and in one subject, no training adjustments were made at all. This observation highlights how differently even athletes of a similar skill level may handle a fixed training stimulus and emphasizes the value of individualized training paradigms [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 45 ]. Meanwhile, the members of the control group achieved standard changes in performance [ 32 ].…”

“…Increases in the HRV and reductions in the HR values throughout an altitude training cycle have previously been observed [ 48 , 49 , 50 ] and are thought to represent acclimatization to the environmental stimulus. In the present study, we similarly observed an upward trend (via visual inspection) in HRV values, beginning on day 9 of the training camp ( Figure 2 ), providing evidence that the training was well-tolerated.…”

“…Managing a training load is an essential process in all sports. In high-end competition, athletes often find themselves balancing a fine line between success and overtraining [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Moreover, even elite athletes may respond differently to the same stimulus [ 5 ].…”

“…In endurance athletes, subjective and objective parameters may be used to track a training load, thus helping to individualize exercise prescriptions. Individualization of a training load is an essential element of athletic success [ 1 , 3 , 5 ] that may help to prevent injury and overtraining [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Warm-Up With Added Respiratory Dead Space Volume Mask Improves the Performance of the Cycling Sprint Interval Exercise: Cross-Over Study

“…This leads to an increase in the number of circulating erythrocytes, suggesting a potential method to rapidly increase the body’s oxygen transport capacity. In contrast, Bahenský et al (2020) tested breathing exercises based on Wim Hof method, which is a combination of deep breathing and breath-holding, increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in arterial blood and inducing hypercapnia. Induction of hypercapnia prior to exercise is thought to elicit a sympathetic response leading to increased tidal volume (VT) and increased blood flow to skeletal muscle in a manner that may improve exercise performance.…”