title: Ventilatory acclimatisation is beneficial for high-intensity exercise at altitude in elite cyclists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ventilatory adaptation and performance during altitude training at 2700 m.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven elite cyclists (age: 21.2 ± 1.1 yr, body mass: 69.9 ± 5.6 kg, height 176.3 ± 4.9 cm) participated in this study. A hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) test and a submaximal exercise test were performed at sea level prior to the training camp and again after 15 d at altitude (ALT15). Ventilation (VE), end-tidal carbon-dioxide partial pressure (PETCO2) and oxyhaemoglobin saturation via pulse oximetry (SpO2) were measured at rest and during submaximal cycling at 250 W. A hill climb (HC) performance test was conducted at sea level and after 14 d at altitude (ALT14) using a road of similar length (5.5-6 km) and gradient (4.8-5.3%). Power output was measured using SRM cranks. Average HC power at ALT14 was normalised to sea level power (HC%). Multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of performance at altitude.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At ALT15, there was a significant increase in resting VE (10.3 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.4 L·min(-1)) and HVR (0.34 ± 0.24 vs. 0.71 ± 0.49 L·min(-1)·%(-1)), while PETCO2 (38.4 ± 2.3 vs. 32.1 ± 3.3 mmHg) and SpO2 (97.9 ± 0.7 vs. 94.0 ± 1.7%) were reduced (P < .05). Multiple regression revealed ΔHVR and exercise VE at altitude as significant predictors of HC% (adjusted r(2) = 0.913; P = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ventilatory acclimatisation occurred during a 2 wk altitude training camp in elite cyclists and a higher HVR was associated with better performance at altitude, relative to sea level. These results suggest that ventilatory acclimatisation is beneficial for cycling performance at altitude.
authors.affiliation: a Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre , Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital , Doha , Qatar.|b School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University , Burwood , Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physiology , Australian Institute of Sport , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physiology , Australian Institute of Sport , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Tammie R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physiology , Australian Institute of Sport , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physiology , Australian Institute of Sport , Canberra , Australia.
authors.forename: Allan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: d School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney , Lidcombe , Australia.
authors.forename: Chin-Moi
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D056352:Athletes; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hypoxia; endurance; exercise; performance; respiratory