Effects of short-term acclimatization to altitude (3200 m) on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance.
Aerobic exercise performance decreases upon ascent to altitude whereas anaerobic performance remains unchanged. Although the effects of 1 - 3 wk of altitude acclimatization on both aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance have been well studied, the effects of short-term altitude acclimatization (i.e., 45 h) on these parameters have not been well defined. Therefore, both aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance was evaluated in five healthy men (51.4 +/- 7.7 years, 175 +/- 4.2 cm, and 73.8 +/- 6.1 kg) at low altitude (LA, 600 m), upon acute exposure (approximately 1 - 3 h) to 3200 m (HA1) and on the third day of altitude exposure (HA3, 3200 m). Subjects performed three consecutive exercise tests, separated by approximately 1 - 3 h of rest, of various durations (i.e., 30 s, 5 min, and 50 min) on a cycle ergometer in each environmental condition. Anaerobic cycling performance (i. e., 30 s) was the same at LA, HA1, and HA3. Aerobic cycling performance (i. e., 5 min and 50 min) was reduced by 12.0 and 11.3 %, respectively, upon acute exposure to altitude. There was no change in the 5-min cycling performance but the 50-min cycling performance improved by 5.7 % from HA1 to HA3 which implies a 50 % recovery of the initial loss. These findings are important for individuals going to high altitude for work, for athletic competition, or recreation.
Burtscher
M
M
Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria. martin.burtscher@uibk.ac.at
Faulhaber
M
M
Flatz
M
M
Likar
R
R
Nachbauer
W
W
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000531:Altitude; D016552:Ergometry / Q000379:methods; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen