Increased Sports Performance Determined by the Altitude Factor among Senior Mountain Runners

Abstract

Background: Although quality is one of the oldest ways to increase sports performance, a precise protocol of acclimatization and participation in competitions is not yet established, studies in the field not being able to specify exactly a methodologist is ideal. The purpose of this research is to study whether the sports performance of mountain runners increases after performing an altitude training program and whether a VO2max higher conditions the obtaining of superior results in mountain running races. Methods: The paper is based on a case study performed on a selected 7 male subjects, mountain performance runners from the National Team of Romania, subjected to three tests: initial in plain conditions, intermediate in altitude conditions and final in plain conditions. The tests involved performing the Bruce protocol to identify the VO2max value and to go through a route specific to the short-distance mountain running test in maximum effort conditions. Results: Hypoxic effects of altitude determine the obtaining of one hour VO2max inferior comparative with wave times obtained in conditions of flat. SpO2 decreases during effort regardless of altitude or flat, but at altitude the values fall below the physiological limit of 95% and return to physiological limits 15 minutes after effort regardless of flat or altitude. It was also found that following an altitude training camp, the sports performances of the mountain runners increased: the place in the general classification at the National Championship was better and the VO2max had higher values in FT compared to IT. However, an excellent VO2max does not condition a higher place in the ranking of specialized competitions. Conclusions: The training camps at altitude are an efficient method of maximizing the sports performances in mountain running, provided that they are performed according to a specific duration of at least 4-6 weeks and an optimal acclimatization.