Eighteen days of “living high, training low” stimulate erythropoiesis and enhance aerobic performance in elite middle-distance runners

2006 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien V. Brugniaux ◽  
Laurent Schmitt ◽  
Paul Robach ◽  
Gérard Nicolet ◽  
Jean-Pierre Fouillot ◽  
...  

The efficiency of “living high, training low” (LHTL) remains controversial, despite its wide utilization. This study aimed to verify whether maximal and/or submaximal aerobic performance were modified by LHTL and whether these effects persist for 15 days after returning to normoxia. Last, we tried to elucidate whether the mechanisms involved were only related to changes in oxygen-carrying capacity. Eleven elite middle-distance runners were tested before (Pre), at the end (Post1), and 15 days after the end (Post2) of an 18-day LHTL session. Hypoxic group (LHTL, n = 5) spent 14 h/day in hypoxia (6 nights at 2,500 m and 12 nights at 3,000 m), whereas the control group (CON, n = 6) slept in normoxia (1,200 m). Both LHTL and CON trained at 1,200 m. Maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic power were improved at Post1 and Post2 for LHTL only (+7.1 and +3.4% for maximal oxygen uptake, +8.4 and +4.7% for maximal aerobic power, respectively). Similarly oxygen uptake and ventilation at ventilatory threshold increased in LHTL only (+18.1 and +12.2% at Post1, +15.9 and +15.4% at Post2, respectively). Heart rate during a 10-min run at 19.5 km/h decreased for LHTL at Post2 (−4.4%). Despite the stimulation of erythropoiesis in LHTL shown by the 27.4% increase in serum transferrin receptor and the 10.1% increase in total hemoglobin mass, red cell volume was not significantly increased at Post1 (+9.2%, not significant). Therefore, both maximal and submaximal aerobic performance in elite runners were increased by LHTL mainly linked to an improvement in oxygen transport in early return to normoxia and probably to other process at Post2.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Hebisz ◽  
Jacek Borkowski ◽  
Rafal Hebisz

The aim of this study was to determine if the changes in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin (MB) concentrations as markers of muscle damage differ between competitive road (n = 14) and mountain bike (n = 11) cyclists and if these biochemical markers show a relationship with real-world race performance. CK and MB were measured from blood samples collected 2 hours before race start and 1 hour after race completion and the change in pre- and post-race difference was calculated (ΔCK and ΔMB). An incremental exercise test was used to determine maximal oxygen uptake, maximal aerobic power, and power output at the second ventilatory threshold. Post-race CK and MB increased in the whole group of cyclists. Although the magnitude of change in CK was similar in both road and mountain bike cyclists, only the increase in road cyclists was significant. MB significantly increased only in mountain bike cyclists. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between both road and mountain bike race performance and ΔCK and ΔMB. The other significant predictors for mountain bike race performance were maximal aerobic power (W?kg-1) and power output at the second ventilatory threshold (W?kg-1) and for road race performance both maximal oxygen uptake (l?min-1) and power output at the second ventilatory threshold (W). In conclusion, mountain bike racing was associated with an increase in MB whereas road racing with an increase in CK, with the post-race changes in CK and MB related to race performance as high ΔCK and low ΔMB were obtained by better-performing cyclists.


Motricidade ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Nuno Almeida ◽  
Joana Reis ◽  
João Beckert ◽  
Miguel Moreira ◽  
Francisco Alves

The purpose of this study was to verify if competitive performance status was associated to different levels of specific aerobic fitness in Portuguese surfboard riders. Six recreational surfers (age: 32.3±3.1 years; body mass: 73.2±7.8kg; height: 1.75±0.05m) and six competitive international level surfers (age: 25±8.4years; body mass: 68.5±3.8kg; height: 1.74±0.05m) performed a maximal continuous incremental paddling test consisting of two-minute steps starting at 20W, with increments of 10W, for determination of peak oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic power. Ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point with corresponding heart rate and power output were also determined. Elite surfers presented higher values for peak oxygen uptake (43.6±7.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) than recreational surfers (31.1±7.4 ml.kg-1.min-1, p=0.01) however, there were no differences (p> 0.05) between groups for maximal aerobic power (elite: 76.6±18.6W; recreational: 76.6±16.6W). No significant differences between the power output at which ventilatory threshold or respiratory compensation point occurred but elite surfers reached ventilation threshold with 22.5±5.8 ml.kg-1.min-1 which was significantly higher than recreational surfers (16±3.7 ml.kg-1.min-1). These findings show that elite surfers have higher values of peak oxygen uptake than recreational surfers which suggest a higher aerobic adaptation that may be related to the different amount of exercise volume undertaken.


1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigehiro Yoshizawa ◽  
Hiroko Honda ◽  
Naka Nakamura ◽  
Kiyohide Itoh ◽  
Nobuo Watanabe

In the present study, 8 young girls participated as the experimental group and another 8 as the control group in a study of the effect of training on maximal aerobic power. The experimental group practiced a 915-m endurance run 6 days per week. Both groups underwent treadmill tests to check the training effect every 6 months. After 18 months, the experimental group was significantly superior to the control group in maximal aerobic power. The training program brought about this effect in only 12 months. The increased maximal oxygen uptake was mainly due to the increase of stroke volume rather than to the improvement of maximal arteriovenous oxygen content difference. There were seasonal cycles in the change of the endurance run performance: longer times in spring to summer and fall to winter and shortened times in summer to fall and winter to spring.


2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Żebrowska ◽  
Dorota Żyła ◽  
Damian Kania ◽  
Józef Langfort

AbstractThe physiological adaptation to training is specific to the muscle activity, dominant energy system involved,muscle groups trained, as well as intensity and volume of training. Despite increasing popularity of snowboarding onlylittle scientific data is available on the physiological characteristics of female and male competitive snowboarders.Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the aerobic capacity and maximal anaerobic power of elite Polishsnowboarders with untrained subjects. Ten snowboarders and ten aged matched students of Physical Educationperformed two exercise tests. First, a 30-second Wingate test was conducted and next, a cycle ergometer exercise testwith graded intensity. In the first test, peak anaerobic power, the total work, relative peak power and relative meanpower were measured. During the second test, relative maximal oxygen uptake and lactate threshold were evaluated.There were no significant differences in absolute and relative maximal oxygen uptake between snowboarders and thecontrol group. Mean maximal oxygen uptake and lactate threshold were significantly higher in men than in women.Significant differences were found between trained men and women regarding maximal power and relative maximalpower. The elite snowboarders demonstrated a high level of anaerobic power. The level of relative peak power in trainedwomen correlated negatively with maximal oxygen uptake. In conclusion, our results seem to indicate that thedemanding competition program of elite snowboarders provides a significant training stimulus mainly for anaerobicpower with minor changes in anaerobic performance.


Author(s):  
Hanapi M. Johari ◽  
Brinnell A. Caszo ◽  
Victor F. Knight ◽  
Steven A. Lumley ◽  
Aminuddin K. Abdul Hamid ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Michalik ◽  
Szymon Glinka ◽  
Natalia Danek ◽  
Marek Zatoń

Abstract Introduction. So far there have been few studies on the effect of interval training with active recovery aimed at increasing aerobic power on the physical capacity of long-distance runners. Unlike standard interval training, this particular type of interval training does not include passive rest periods but combines high-intensity training with low-intensity recovery periods. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of aerobic power training implemented in the form of interval training with active recovery on the physical capacity of amateur long-distance runners as well as to compare their results against those of a group of runners who trained in a traditional manner and only performed continuous training. Material and methods. The study involved 12 recreational male long-distance runners, who were randomly divided into two groups, consisting of 6 persons each. Control group C performed continuous training 3 times a week (for 90 minutes, with approximately 65-85% VO2max). Experimental group E participated in one training session similar to the one implemented in group C and additionally performed interval training with active recovery twice a week. The interval training included a 20-minute warm-up and repeated running sprints of maximum intensity lasting 3 minutes (800-1,000 m). Between sprints, there was a 12-minute bout of running with an intensity of approximately 60-70% VO2max. The time of each repetition was measured, and the first one was treated as a benchmark in a given training unit. If the duration of a subsequent repetition was 5% shorter than that of the initial repetition, the subjects underwent a 15-minute cool-down period. A progressive treadmill test was carried out before and after the 7-week training period. The results were analysed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results. VO2max increased significantly both in group E (p < 0.05; d = 0.86) and C (p < 0.05; d = 0.71), and there was an improvement in effort economy at submaximal intensity. Although the differences were not significant, a much greater change in the post-exercise concentrations of lactate and H+ ions was found in group E. Conclusions. The study showed that interval training with active recovery increased VO2max in amateur runners with higher initial physical capacity and stimulated adaptation to metabolic acidosis more than continuous training.


2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian W. Midgley ◽  
Lars R. McNaughton ◽  
Sean Carroll

This study investigated the utility of a verification phase for increasing confidence that a “true” maximal oxygen uptake had been elicited in 16 male distance runners (mean age (±SD), 38.7  (± 7.5 y)) during an incremental treadmill running test continued to volitional exhaustion. After the incremental test subjects performed a 10 min recovery walk and a verification phase performed to volitional exhaustion at a running speed 0.5 km·h–1 higher than that attained during the last completed stage of the incremental phase. Verification criteria were a verification phase peak oxygen uptake ≤ 2% higher than the incremental phase value and peak heart rate values within 2 beats·min–1 of each other. Of the 32 tests, 26 satisfied the oxygen uptake verification criterion and 23 satisfied the heart rate verification criterion. Peak heart rate was lower (p = 0.001) during the verification phase than during the incremental phase, suggesting that the verification protocol was inadequate in eliciting maximal values in some runners. This was further supported by the fact that 7 tests exhibited peak oxygen uptake values over 100 mL·min–1 (≥ 3%) lower than the peak values attained in the incremental phase. Further research is required to improve the verification procedure before its utility can be confirmed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Konstantaki ◽  
Edward Winter ◽  
Ian Swaine

Context:Forward propulsion in freestyle swimming is predominantly achieved through arm action. Few studies have assessed the effects of arm training on arm power and swimming performance, yet there have not been any investigations on the effects of arms-only swimming training on swimming performance and physiological responses to arm exercise.Purpose:To investigate the changes in arms-only and full-stroke swimming performance, movement economy and aerobic power after an arms-only swimming training program.Methods:Fifteen male county level swimmers were assigned either to an experimental (ES, n = 8) or control group (CS, n = 7). For six weeks ES performed arms-only freestyle swimming exercises for 20% of their weekly training distance three times per week, whereas CS performed their usual swimming training. Before and after the training program, both groups performed a) two time trials, 186 m using arms-only (186ARMS) and 372 m using full-stroke (372FULL) freestyle swimming, and b) an incremental arm-pulling exercise test. The time to complete the trials was recorded. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak exercise intensity (EIpeak) submaximal oxygen uptake at 60 W (VO2−60) and exercise intensity at ventilatory threshold (VTW) were determined from the exercise test.Results:After training, ES had improved in 186ARMS (−14.2 ± 3.6%, P = .03), VO2−60 (−22.5 ± 2.3%, P = .04), EIpeak (+17.8 ± 4.2%, P = .03), and VTW (+18.9 ± 2.3%, P = .02), but not in VO2peak (P = .09) or in 372FULL (P = .07). None of the measures changed in CS (P > .05).Conclusion:Arms-only swimming training at 20% of the weekly training distance is an effective method to improve arm conditioning during the preparatory phase of the annual training cycle.


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