New tendencies in the application of altitude training in sport preparation.

Competitive athletes frequently use altitude training (AT) to improve sea-level performance. AT became interesting for sport scientists and athletes since Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968. Exercise at altitude may increase the training stimulus and enlarge the effects of endurance training. The first noted adaptation induced by staying at altitude is an increase in red blood cell mass that improves aerobic power and sea-level performance. Currently, there are several types of AT modalities: traditional 'live high-train high', contemporary 'live high-train low', intermittent hypoxic exposure during rest, live low-train high and intermittent hypoxic exposure during continuous session. Despite several substantial differences between these methods of hypoxic all of them have the same goal: to stimulate an improvement in athletic performance at sea level. A proper distinction must be made between altitude acclimatization during preparation for competitions at altitude and AT and acclimatization for improvement of the sea-level performances. Former scientific researches identified two longer phases of enhanced work capacity after AT. First phase of enhanced work capacity occurring between days 3-7 and 12-13, while the best results are achieved during 18 and 20 days after AT. Second phase of enhanced work capacity is reported between days 36 and 48 after AT. The further development of practical knowledge in area of AT should predominantly include recommendations about application of different AT methods in training periodization in different sports. Improvement of the work capacity and duration of enhanced work capacity at the sea level after AT stimuli are the main questions opened for future scientific researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]