title: Methods of the international study on soccer at altitude 3600 m (ISA3600).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe here the 3-year process underpinning a multinational collaboration to investigate soccer played at high altitude--La Paz, Bolivia (3600 m). There were two main aims: first, to quantify the extent to which running performance would be altered at 3600 m compared with near sea level; and second, to characterise the time course of acclimatisation of running performance and underlying physiology to training and playing at 3600 m. In addition, this project was able to measure the physiological changes and the effect on running performance of altitude-adapted soccer players from 3600 m playing at low altitude.
  
  
  METHODS
  A U20 Bolivian team ('The Strongest' from La Paz, n=19) played a series of five games against a U17 team from sea level in Australia (The Joeys, n=20). 2 games were played near sea level (Santa Cruz 430 m) over 5 days and then three games were played in La Paz over the next 12 days. Measures were (1) game and training running performance--including global positioning system (GPS) data on distance travelled and velocity of movement; (2) blood--including haemoglobin mass, blood volume, blood gases and acid-base status; (3) acclimatisation--including resting heart rate variability, perceived altitude sickness, as well as heart rate and perceived exertion responses to a submaximal running test; and (4) sleep patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pivotal to the success of the project were the strong professional networks of the collaborators, with most exceeding 10 years, the links of several of the researchers to soccer federations, as well as the interest and support of the two head coaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, , Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Aughey
authors.forename: Pitre C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bourdon
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Garvican-Lewis
authors.forename: Rudy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.forename: Jesus C Jimenez
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Claros
authors.forename: Charli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchheit
authors.forename: Ben M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Kristal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Marlen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kley
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wachsmuth
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cuenca
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vidmar
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spielvogel
authors.forename: Walter F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology; D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000531:Altitude; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D001838:Bolivia / Q000208:ethnology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins
keywords: Altitude; Measurement; Soccer