Hypobaric EnvironmentExercising at Altitude

Physiological Adaptation to Altitude

•         Short Term Adaptation• Hyperventilation.• Increase in submaximal heart rate.• Increase in submaximal cardiac output.• Stroke volume remains same or slightly lowered.• Maximum cardiac output remains same or slightly lowered

Physiological Adaptation to Altitude

Long Term Adaptations

• Hyperventilation• Submaximal heart rate remains elevated.• Submaximal cardiac output falls to sea level values or lower.• Stroke volume is lowered.• Maximum cardiac output is lowered.• Possible increased capillarization of skeletal muscles.• Increased mitochondria• Increased aerobic enzymes• Decrease in plasma volume• Increased hemoglobin concentration• Increased number of red blood cells

Performance at Altitude

Acclimatization: Prolonged Exposure to Altitude

• Blood Adaptation– Increased erythrocyte (RBC) production – more

hemoglobin– Increased oxygen carrying capacity

• Muscle Adaptation– Total muscle & body weight decreases at

altitude– Dehydration & appetite suppression

• Metabolic Adaptation– The decreased VO2max with initial exposure to

altitude does not improve much during several weeks of exposure

Altitude Training & Performance

• Sea Level Performance– Most studies show that altitude training leads

to no significant improvement of sea level performance

• Altitude Performance– Altitude training can improve performance in

altitude– Training guidelines for altitude competition

• Arrive within the first 24 hr• Train at altitude of 1500m to 3000m for at least 2

weeks prior to performing

Lake Louise Self-Report Questionnaire

Clinical Assessment