title: Influence of altitude training modality on performance and total haemoglobin mass in elite swimmers.
abstract: We compared changes in performance and total haemoglobin mass (tHb) of elite swimmers in the weeks following either Classic or Live High:Train Low (LHTL) altitude training. Twenty-six elite swimmers (15 male, 11 female, 21.4 ± 2.7 years; mean ± SD) were divided into two groups for 3 weeks of either Classic or LHTL altitude training. Swimming performances over 100 or 200 m were assessed before altitude, then 1, 7, 14 and 28 days after returning to sea-level. Total haemoglobin mass was measured twice before altitude, then 1 and 14 days after return to sea-level. Changes in swimming performance in the first week after Classic and LHTL were compared against those of Race Control (n = 11), a group of elite swimmers who did not complete altitude training. In addition, a season-long comparison of swimming performance between altitude and non-altitude groups was undertaken to compare the progression of performances over the course of a competitive season. Regardless of altitude training modality, swimming performances were substantially slower 1 day (Classic 1.4 ± 1.3% and LHTL 1.6 ± 1.6%; mean ± 90% confidence limits) and 7 days (0.9 ± 1.0% and 1.9 ± 1.1%) after altitude compared to Race Control. In both groups, performances 14 and 28 days after altitude were not different from pre-altitude. The season-long comparison indicated that no clear advantage was obtained by swimmers who completed altitude training. Both Classic and LHTL elicited ~4% increases in tHb. Although altitude training induced erythropoeisis, this physiological adaptation did not transfer directly into improved competitive performance in elite swimmers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen, Canberra, ACT, 2616, Australia. clare.gough@ausport.gov.au
authors.forename: Clare E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: Philo U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fowlie
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anson
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wachsmuth
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prommer
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gore
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins