Training in Hypoxia at Alternating High Altitudes Is a Factor Favoring the Increase in Sports Performance.

Training above 1800 m causes increases in hemoglobin, erythropoietin and VO2max values in the bodies of athletes. The purpose of this study is to prove that living at an altitude of 1850 m and training at 2200 m (LHTH+) is more effective than living and training at 2000 m (LHTH). Ten endurance athletes (age 21.2 ± 1.5 years, body mass 55.8 ± 4.3 kg, height 169 ± 6 cm, performance 3000 m 8:35 ± 0:30 min) performed three training sessions of 30 days, in three different situations: [1] living and training at 2000 m altitude (LHTH), [2] living at 1850 m and training at 2200 m (LHTH+), and [3] living and training at 300 m (LLTL). The differences in erythropoietin (EPO), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and VO2max values were compared before and at the end of each training session. Data analysis indicated that LHTH training caused an increase in EPO values (by 1.0 ± 0.8 mU/mL, p = 0.002 < 0.05.); Hb (by 1.1 ± 0.3 g/dL, p < 0.001); VO2max (by 0.9 ± 0.23 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001). LHTH+ training caused an increase in EPO values (by 1.9 ± 0.5 mU/ML, p < 0.001); Hb (by 1.4 ± 0.5 g/dL, p < 0.001); VO2max (by 1.7 ± 0.3 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001). At the LLTL training, EPO values do not have a significant increase (p = 0.678 > 0.050; 1 ± 0.1 mU/mL, 0.1 ± 0.9%.), Hb (0.1 ± 0.0 g/dL, 0.3 ± 0.3%), VO2max (0.1 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.2%, p = 0.013 < 0.05). Living and training at altitudes of 2000 m (LHTH) and living at 1850 m training at 2200 m (LHTH+) resulted in significant improvements in EPO, Hb, and VO2max that exceeded the changes in these parameters, following traditional training at 300 m (LLTL). LHTH+ training has significantly greater changes than LHTH training, favorable to increasing sports performance. The results of this study can serve as guidelines for athletic trainers in their future work, in the complete structure of multi-year planning and programming, and thus improve the process of development and performance training.

Hábito deportivo: efecto en la aptitud físico-motora y cardiorespiratoria en escolares / Sport habits: effect on physical-motor fitness, and cardiorespiratory of school children

Objetivo: Comparar el efecto del hábito deportivo sobre la aptitud físico-motora y cardiorrespiratoria en escolares. Métodos: Se estudiaron 58 escolares varones (33 hábito deportivo y 25 controles), con edades entre 7,5 y 9,5 años. Se evaluaron: antecedentes familiares, personales, hábitos psicobiológicos, antropometría y química sanguínea. Se llevó a cabo una prueba de resistencia de 1000 m para registrar la aptitud físico-motora clasificándolos en deficiente, regular, promedio, bueno y excelente. Se calculó el volumen máximo de oxigeno (VO2máx) que los clasifica en capacidad aeróbica: baja, regular, media, buena y excelente. Se realizó prueba de esfuerzo para el cálculo del índice cronotrópico y evaluación de la recuperación parasimpática. Resultados: El tiempo promedio en la prueba de resistencia en el grupo con hábito deportivo habitual (366,27±38,20 seg) fue significativamente menor (p<0,001) con respecto al grupo control (416,40±55,79 seg). En la aptitud físico-motora se encontró un desempeño significativamente mejor en los niños con hábito deportivo habitual que en los controles (p<0,005). Este mismo grupo presentó un consumo máximo de oxígeno mayor con un 45,19 ± 5,50 mL/kg/min que los controles con un 37,82 ± 8,20 mL/kg/min (p<0,001). Al categorizar el VO2máx, se encontró una significativa mayor frecuencia de capacidad aeróbica buena y excelente en el grupo con hábito deportivo habitual (p<0,002). En la prueba de esfuerzo y parámetros metabólicos no hubo diferencia. Conclusión: En escolares con hábito deportivo habitual hay una mejor capacidad aeróbica que en los controles. La actividad física mejora la aptitud físico-motora y cardiorrespiratoria sin diferencia en la capacidad funcional y pruebas bioquímicas.

Objective: Compare the effects of sport habits on physical and motor aptitude as well as cardiorespiratory fitness in school children. Methods: Fifty-eight male school children with ages between 7,5 to 9,5 years old were studied (33 with regular sport habits activities and 25 controls). The clinical evaluation included: family history, personal, psychobiological habits, anthropometry and blood analysis. Each child participated in a 1000 meters´ race to test his physical and motor fitness. The performance was ranked as deficient, regular, average, good, and excellent. The maximum volume of oxygen (VO2máx) was determined in order to qualify each participant according to his aerobic capacity: low, regular, average, good, and excellent. The cardiac functional capacity was evaluated through treadmill stress test by the calculation of the chronotropic and the evaluation of parasympathetic recovery index. Results: The average time in strength test for the group with sport habits (366,27±38,20 sec) was significantly lower (p<0,001). In term of the physical and motor fitness, children with sport habits performed significantly better (p< 0,005). Moreover, the sport habits group presented a maximum consumption of oxygen significantly greater 45,19 ± 5,50 mL/kg/min than the controls 37,82±8,20 mL/kg/min (p<0,001). By categorizing VO2max, a significantly higher frequency of good and excellent aerobic capacity was found in the group with sport habits (p<0,002). The treadmill stress test and the metabolic parameters no showed significant difference. Conclusions: School children with sport habits showed better aerobic capacity than those with a sedentary lifestyle. The motor function and biochemical tests showed similar results.