title: Effect of different simulated altitudes on repeat-sprint performance in team-sport athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the impact of 3 heights of simulated altitude exposure on repeat-sprint performance in team-sport athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten trained male team-sport athletes completed 3 sets of repeated sprints (9 × 4 s) on a nonmotorized treadmill at sea level and at simulated altitudes of 2000, 3000, and 4000 m. Participants completed 4 trials in a random order over 4 wk, with mean power output (MPO), peak power output (PPO), blood lactate concentration (Bla), and oxygen saturation (SaO2) recorded after each set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each increase in simulated altitude corresponded with a significant decrease in SaO2. Total work across all sets was highest at sea level and correspondingly lower at each successive altitude (P < .05; sea level < 2000 m < 3000 m < 4000 m). In the first set, MPO was reduced only at 4000 m, but for subsequent sets, decreases in MPO were observed at all altitudes (P < .05; 2000 m < 3000 m < 4000 m). PPO was maintained in all sets except for set 3 at 4000 m (P < .05; vs sea level and 2000 m). BLa levels were highest at 4000 m and significantly greater (P < .05) than at sea level after all sets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that "higher may not be better," as a simulated altitude of 4000 m may potentially blunt absolute training quality. Therefore, it is recommended that a moderate simulated altitude (2000-3000 m) be employed when implementing intermittent hypoxic repeat-sprint training for team-sport athletes.
authors: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Goods P
authors: Brian T
authors: BT
authors: Dawson
authors: Grant J
authors: GJ
authors: Landers
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: Gore
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Peeling
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000531:Altitude; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D006126:Group Processes; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D012420:Running; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019344:Lactic Acid