title: "Living high-training low": effect of moderate-altitude acclimatization with low-altitude training on performance.
abstract: The principal objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that acclimatization to moderate altitude (2,500 m) plus training at low altitude (1,250 m), "living high-training low," improves sea-level performance in well-trained runners more than an equivalent sea-level or altitude control. Thirty-nine competitive runners (27 men, 12 women) completed 1) a 2-wk lead-in phase, followed by 2) 4 wk of supervised training at sea level; and 3) 4 wk of field training camp randomized to three groups: "high-low" (n = 13), living at moderate altitude (2,500 m) and training at low altitude (1,250 m); "high-high" (n = 13), living and training at moderate altitude (2,500 m); or "low-low" (n = 13), living and training in a mountain environment at sea level (150 m). A 5,000-m time trial was the primary measure of performance; laboratory outcomes included maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max), anaerobic capacity (accumulated O2 deficit), maximal steady state (MSS; ventilatory threshold), running economy, velocity at VO2 max, and blood compartment volumes. Both altitude groups significantly increased VO2 max (5%) in direct proportion to an increase in red cell mass volume (9%; r = 0.37, P < 0.05), neither of which changed in the control. Five-kilometer time was improved by the field training camp only in the high-low group (13.4 +/- 10 s), in direct proportion to the increase in VO2 max (r = 0.65, P < 0.01). Velocity at VO2 max and MSS also improved only in the high-low group. Four weeks of living high-training low improves sea-level running performance in trained runners due to altitude acclimatization (increase in red cell mass volume and VO2 max) and maintenance of sea-level training velocities, most likely accounting for the increase in velocity at VO2 max and MSS.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas 75231, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA. Levineb@wpmail.phscare.org
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stray-Gundersen
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D019344:Lactic Acid