Difference between revisions of "Altitude Training Approaches"

Revision as of 14:04, 7 August 2010

1 Altitude Training Approaches

There are various ways of using altitude to improve performance.

1.1 Live High, Train High

By moving to altitude, you are exposed to lower oxygen all the time. While this approach can have a good effect on altitude acclimatization, it makes training much harder. Therefore the benefit of altitude on increased red blood cell count are offset by the reduced ability to train hard.

1.2 Live High, Train Low

Sleeping at altitude produces the increase in red blood cells, and training at low altitude provides optimum training benefits. This effect can be achieved by literally living at a high altitude and travelling to a lower level to train. However, this approach is also possible by using a hypoxia generator to reduce the level of oxygen in a tent. The downside to an altitude tent is that the quality of sleep can be significantly degraded.

1.3 Intermittent Hypoxic Training

Being exposed to low oxygen for short periods has been shown to provide additional benefits beyond other altitude training approaches. The technique usually involves breathing air with reduced oxygen content for shorter periods IHT can provide the increase in red blood cell count as longer periods, as well as improving oxygen delivery to the muscles. See Intermittent Hypoxic Training and Intermittent Hypoxic Training 101

2 See Also

• Altitude Training
• Comparison of Altitude Training Systems
• Book Review – Altitude Training and Athletic Performance
• Intermittent Hypoxic Training and Intermittent Hypoxic Training 101
• AltoLab