Effect of different simulated altitudes on repeat-sprint performance in team-sport athletes

• Published in: International journal of sports physiology and performance Vol. 9; no. 5; p. 857
• Main Authors: Goods P, S R, Dawson, Brian T, Landers, Grant J, Gore, Christopher J, Peeling, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Altitude; Athletic Performance; Biomarkers - blood; Competitive Behavior; Group Processes; Heart Rate; Humans; Hypoxia - blood; Hypoxia - physiopathology; Hypoxia - psychology; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Oxygen Consumption; Perception; Running; Single-Blind Method; Time Factors; Western Australia; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2013-0423
• ISSN: 1555-0265

This study aimed to assess the impact of 3 heights of simulated altitude exposure on repeat-sprint performance in team-sport athletes. Ten trained male team-sport athletes completed 3 sets of repeated sprints (9 × 4 s) on a nonmotorized treadmill at sea level and at simulated altitudes of 2000, 3000, and 4000 m. Participants completed 4 trials in a random order over 4 wk, with mean power output (MPO), peak power output (PPO), blood lactate concentration (Bla), and oxygen saturation (SaO2) recorded after each set. Each increase in simulated altitude corresponded with a significant decrease in SaO2. Total work across all sets was highest at sea level and correspondingly lower at each successive altitude (P < .05; sea level < 2000 m < 3000 m < 4000 m). In the first set, MPO was reduced only at 4000 m, but for subsequent sets, decreases in MPO were observed at all altitudes (P < .05; 2000 m < 3000 m < 4000 m). PPO was maintained in all sets except for set 3 at 4000 m (P < .05; vs sea level and 2000 m). BLa levels were highest at 4000 m and significantly greater (P < .05) than at sea level after all sets. These results suggest that "higher may not be better," as a simulated altitude of 4000 m may potentially blunt absolute training quality. Therefore, it is recommended that a moderate simulated altitude (2000-3000 m) be employed when implementing intermittent hypoxic repeat-sprint training for team-sport athletes.