Usefulness of training camps at high altitude for well-trained adolescents

Abstract

13staying and training at higher altitudes stem from the differing physical and climate conditions compared to low altitudes. Particularly for endurance sports, altitude training is considered one of the basic methodological factors for developing sports performance. The reason why it holds such significance today (despite certain difficulties) is the search for further (legal) ways to increase the effectiveness of training practices commonly applied in at low altitude.A whole range of studies showing the positive influence of altitude training on physiological and biochemical indicators and improved performance in top adult athletes have been conducted over the past IntroductionThe use of lower partial air pressure has long been one of the most frequent legal options for increasing sports performance in adult athletes, primarily for endurance sports. Lower partial air pressure can be induced naturally (through higher altitudes) or artificially (e.g. using special tents or barochambers). The demands of Objective: Opinions on the suitability of sports training at altitudes of 1800-2200 m above sea level (ASL) for increasing performance in youth are not unanimous. The objective of this study was to test the influence of a ten day altitude training camp on performance in well-trained adolescent cross-country skiers. Methods: A running test of 3 × 2 km (aerobic, anaerobic and critical intensity) was used with a rest interval of 10 minutes. The test was performed 4 times -an initial test at a lowland (900 m ASL) prior to departure for altitude, two tests at altitude (1850 m ASL), a final test ten days after returning to lower altitudes. The aerobic, anaerobic and critical load intensities were set by graded a load test. For all individual tests, the participants maintained the same heart rate individually defined for the various segments using a heart rate monitor. Changes in speed between the tests were compared. The body's internal response was also monitored by the concentration of lactate (2 and 8 minutes after each exertion). Participants: Well-trained adolescent cross-country skiers (N = 11, age: 14.4 ± 1.2 years, weight: 54.4 ± 8.6 kg, height: 170 ± 7 cm, fat: 13 ± 2.6%). Results: The average times attained in the first altitude test for aerobic and anaerobic load were higher (p < .05) than in the entry test at low altitude. In the second altitude test the average times for all intensities were significantly (p < .05) higher than in the first altitude test. In the tests after returning to the lower altitudes the times attained for all intensities were on average higher than at altitude. The average lactate concentration levels following the various intensities were similar (p > .05). The dynamics of the cool-down monitored via the lactate value at the eighth minute after completing the relevant segment showed that at altitude the adolescents cooled down significantly (p < .05) slower rate following the aerobic and anaerobic intensity than at low altitude. For critical intensity there was no statistically signi...

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

“…In conjunction with greater running velocity at various blood lactate concentrations, this improvement in VO 2 max portends to the likelihood of significant race performance improvements in these young athletes. Indeed, running velocity-blood lactate relationships are an integral component of running performance [11,[36][37][38]. Continual tracking of these performance variables following the return to sea level would provide insight as to the persistence of these observed adaptations, thus helping to inform training strategies for athletes and coaches looking to employ altitude training as a means to improve race performance.…”

Physiological, biochemical and performance changes to a 10-days training camp at 1040 m altitude in adolescent runners

“…Buchheit et al (2012), Saltin et al (1995) nebo Bahenský a Suchý (2015). Podobným výzkumným souborem se zabýval i Suchý (2012) či Suchý a Opočenský (2015), kteří testovali mladé lyžaře v dorosteneckém a juniorském věku. Friedmann et al (2005) zkoumali vliv vyšší nadmořské výšky na mladé plavce.…”

“…V literatuře je popsán i efekt zkráceného pobytu ve vyšší nadmořské výšce o délce kratší než dva týdny, např. Diebel, Newhouse, Thompson, a Johnson (2017), Suchý (2012), Svedenhag, Saltin, Johansson, a Kaijser (1991), Bahenský a Suchý (2015) či Suchý a Opočenský (2015). Z těchto studií vyplývá, že i zkrácený tréninkový pobyt ve vyšší nadmořské výšce může mít pozitivní efekt na funkční a biochemické parametry a na sportovní výkonnost vytrvalostních sportovců.…”