Ventilatory acclimatisation is beneficial for high-intensity exercise at altitude in elite cyclists |
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| Authors: | Nathan E Townsend Christopher J Gore Tammie R Ebert David T Martin Allan G Hahn Chin-Moi Chow |
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| Institution: | 1. Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar;2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia;3. Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia;4. School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Aim: 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?VE at altitude as significant predictors of HC% (adjusted r2?=?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. |
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| Keywords: | Hypoxia respiratory endurance exercise performance |
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