Altitude training

Altitude trainingLearning Outcomes:• All are able to discuss the benefits of fitness training

methods and explain what altitude training is• Most can understand the importance of

thermoregulation.• Most are able to analyse the benefits and

drawbacks of altitude training to an athlete.• Some can use this knowledge to answer an

examination question in detail.

Altitude training• Homework:– Complete 14 mark question on altitude training– Complete examination question on

thermoregulation– Complete notes and reading on periodisation– REVISE FOR MOCK

Altitude training• Starter activity – complete Training letter

choice activity

• Complete benefits of the different types of training activity

Altitude training

What is it?• Athletes chose to train at level normally over

2000m above sea level• Usually for at least 30 days• Three phases - acclimatisation

- primary training - recovery

Altitude training

Who?- Endurance athletes- Athletes competing at altitude (e.g. World

Cups)

- altitude training

Altitude training

Why?• Partial pressure of oxygen is lower (less

oxygen available)Resulting in?• Body struggles to produce required amounts

of energy • This triggers physiological adaptations• Body produces EPO (erythropoietin)

Altitude training

Immediate effects:- Increase in breathing- Increase in HR

Altitude training

Long Term effects (Advantages)- Increased concentration of RBC’s- Increased concentration of Hb/Myoglobin- Increased capacity to carry O2

- Increase in blood viscosity- Increased capillarisation- Increased tolerance to lactic acid (delay OBLA)

Altitude training

Returning to Sea level- Higher RBC count and Hb concentration

remain for 6-8 weeks.- This benefits ability to carry oxygen for

endurance athletes

Altitude training

Hinders performance?- Altitude sickness- Lethargy- Insomnia- Train at same intensity is difficult/detraining may

occur/loss of fitness- Dehydrated- Psychological problems linked to travel/time away from

home- Benefits lost quickly when back at sea level

Altitude training

Alternative methods- Hypoxic tents/altitude tents/ oxygen tents- Live High Train Low - most recent evidence

suggests that living at altitude, yet training at sea level is the most beneficial

Altitude training – Mini Plenary activity

Elite athletes spend considerable time developing their fitness, using a variety of methods, in order to produce peak performance.(a) (i) Explain why some athletes, such as marathon

runners, may choose to spend time training at altitude. (3 marks)

(ii) What are the potential problems associated with altitude training? (3 marks)

Altitude training4 (a) (i) 1. Improved endurance/stamina/aerobic capacity/VO2 max; 2. Reduced concentration/partial pressure of oxygen at altitude; 3. Compensation through increased red blood cells/haemoglobin; 4. Erythroprotein; 5. Enhanced oxygen carrying capacity (on return to sea level) 3 marks

(ii) 1. Reduced pO2 – training very hard; 2. Loss of fitness/detraining effect; 3. Increased lactate production/accumulation; 4. Altitude sickness/weeks to acclimatise; 5. Solution – live at altitude and train at sea level; 6. Other physiological e.g. blood viscosity/psychological/social/environmental factors. 3 marks

Thermoregulation during exercise

• Read hand outs and complete worksheet to demonstrate understanding of thermoregulation key terminology.

Plenary activity

• What part of the brain controls thermoregulation?• Hypothalamus

• What is the main job of the thermoregulatory centre?• Maintain the core temperature

• During exercise which mechanism is the most effective for cooling?• Sweat evaporation

• What happens to the body if it gets dehydrated?– Blood volume decreases, performance decreases (insufficient oxygen available)

Altitude trainingLearning Outcomes:• All are able to discuss the benefits of fitness training

methods and explain what altitude training is• Most can understand the importance of

thermoregulation.• Most are able to analyse the benefits and

drawbacks of altitude training to an athlete.• Some can use this knowledge to answer an

examination question in detail.