Effects of training at moderate altitude on physical performance capacity.

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Abstract
Five well-conditioned men and 16 highly conditioned college swimmers trained daily at an elevation of 200 m (sea level) before and after a period of training at an altitude of 2,300 m. The maximum O2 uptake was significantly lower at altitude and the pulmonary ventilation (BTPS) significantly higher. After 3 weeks of training at altitude, the 5 men approximated sea-level control values of maximum O2 uptake on a bicycle ergometer test. The college swimmers did not regain sea-level control values of maximum O2 uptake during tethered swimming at altitude. The same maximums were attained in heart rate and systolic blood pressure at both elevations. In both groups, hemoglobin and hematocrit ratio values increased significantly during training at altitude but returned to normal on return to sea level. In events of over 2 min duration initial performances at 2,300 m were impaired 5-6% compared to control values obtained at sea level. On return to sea level, maximum oxygen uptakes and time trial performances of the five well-conditioned men were improved compared to prealtitude control values. No significant changes were observed in the group of highly conditioned swimmers.

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