Altitude training experience of italian race walking coaches

Abstract

Altitude training is a common practice in endurance athletes. It is
mainly used to obtain improvement in performance thanks to
adaptation at both central (e.g. maximal oxygen uptake and
haematological parameters) and peripheral level (e.g. mitochondrial
efficiency and muscle buffering). In the literature has been reported
that also race walkers underwent altitude training camp during
annual training program, the methodologies involved were however
different due to different aims, thus dissimilar results were found. The
aim of this paper was to understand in which extent Italian race
walkers coaches use altitude training. Four coaches were
interviewed in order to obtain their experience about altitude training
(camp numbers, altitude level, training methodologies, timing and
goals). All coaches utilized live high-train high methods for law (in
Italy artificial hypoxia is illegal) and logistics reasons. The altitude
high was different with half using moderate altitude and others high
altitude. All reported to use altitude training mainly for improving
athletes' performance due to peripheral (moderate altitude) and
central and peripheral (high altitude) enhancement. All coaches paid
attention to acclimatisation period (both at altitude and back to sea
level), which is subjective and altitude-experience dependent,
however it lasts no longer than ten days. The training intensity was
kept as close to sea level as possible by adopting interval and highintensity
training. Overall coaches' answers pointed out a great
knowledge of the physiological and training basis of altitude training.
The efficacy of any training for elite athletes is met only when an
adequate stimulus is given to athletes, and also altitude training has
to follow this rule. Along this line of thought coaches understand that
only living high with some training volume cannot meet the efficacy
criteria. Thus, let athletes train with an intensity as close to sea level
as possible in order to give and higher stimulus and to gain more
benefits when athletes will be back at sea level.