Dietary Recommendations for Cyclists during Altitude Training.
The concept of altitude or hypoxic training is a common practice in cycling. However, several strategies for training regimens have been proposed, like "live high, train high" (LH-TH), "live high, train low" (LH-TL) or "intermittent hypoxic training" (IHT). Each of them combines the effect of acclimatization and different training protocols that require specific nutrition. An appropriate nutrition strategy and adequate hydration can help athletes achieve their fitness and performance goals in this unfriendly environment. In this review, the physiological stress of altitude exposure and training will be discussed, with specific nutrition recommendations for athletes training under such conditions. However, there is little research about the nutrition demands of athletes who train at moderate altitude. Our review considers energetic demands and body mass or body composition changes due to altitude training, including respiratory and urinary water loss under these conditions. Carbohydrate intake recommendations and hydration status are discussed in detail, while iron storage and metabolism is also considered. Last, but not least the risk of increased oxidative stress under hypoxic conditions and antioxidant supplementation suggestions are presented.
Department of Nutrition &amp; Supplementation, the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Faculty of Physical Education, Miko&#322;owska 72A, Katowice 40-065, Poland. m.michalczyk@awf.katowice.pl.
Małgorzata
M
Michalczyk
Department of Sports Training, the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Faculty of Physical Education, Miko&#322;owska 72A, Katowice 40-065, Poland. m.czuba@awf.katowice.pl.
Miłosz
M
Czuba
Department of Nutrition &amp; Supplementation, the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Faculty of Physical Education, Miko&#322;owska 72A, Katowice 40-065, Poland. g.zydek@awf.katowice.pl.
Grzegorz
G
Zydek
Department of Sports Training, the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Faculty of Physical Education, Miko&#322;owska 72A, Katowice 40-065, Poland. a.zajac@awf.katowice.pl.
Adam
A
Zając
Department of Nutrition &amp; Supplementation, the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Faculty of Physical Education, Miko&#322;owska 72A, Katowice 40-065, Poland. j.langfort@awf.katowice.pl.
Józef
J
Langfort
D000064:Acclimatization; D000531:Altitude; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001642:Bicycling; D001823:Body Composition; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D
altitude training; cycling; hypoxia; nutrition