Citation

Chapman RF, Stickford JL, Levine BD. Exp. Physiol. 2010; 95(3): 411-421.

Affiliation

Indiana University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, The Physiological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1113/expphysiol.2009.050377

PMID

19837773

Abstract

Winter sports events routinely take place at low to moderate altitudes, and nearly all Winter Olympic Games have had at least one venue at an altitude > 1000m. The acute and chronic effects of altitude can have a substantial effect on performance outcomes. Acutely, the decline in oxygen delivery to working muscle decreases VO2max, negatively affecting performance in endurance events such as cross country skiing and biathlon. The reduction in air resistance at altitude can dramatically affect sports involving high velocities and technical skill components, such as ski jumping, speed skating, and ice hockey. Dissociations between velocity and sensations usually associated with work intensity (ventilation, metabolic signals in skeletal muscle, heart rate) may impair pacing strategy and make it difficult to determine optimal race pace. For competitions taking place at altitude, a number of strategies may be useful depending on the altitude of residence of the athlete, and ultimate competition altitude: 1) Allow extra time and practice for athletes to adjust to the changes in projectile motion; hockey, shooting, ski-jumping may be particularly affected. These considerations apply equally in the reverse direction - that is for athletes practicing at altitude but competing at sea level; 2) allow time for acclimatization for endurance sports: 3-5 days if possible, especially for low altitude (500 - 2,000m), 1-2 weeks for moderate altitude (2,000 - 3,000m), and at least 2 weeks if possible for high altitude (>3,000m); 3) Increase exercise-recovery ratios as much as possible, with 1:3 ratio probably optimal, and consider more frequent substitutions for sports where this is allowed, such as ice hockey; 5). Consider the use of supplemental O2 on the sideline (ice hockey), or in between heats (skating, alpine skiing) to facilitate recovery if relevant. For competitions at sea level, the "live high - train low" model of altitude training can help athletes in endurance events maximize performance.

Language: en