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Predicting an Athlete’s Physiological and Haematological Response to Live High-Train High Altitude Training Using a Hypoxic Sensitivity Test

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Abstract

Purpose

Elite endurance runners frequently utilise live high-train high (LHTH) altitude training to improve endurance performance at sea level (SL). Individual variability in response to the hypoxic exposure have resulted in contradictory findings. In the present case study, changes in total haemoglobin mass (tHbmass) and physiological capacity, in response to 4-weeks of LHTH were documented. We tested if a hypoxic sensitivity test (HST) could predict altitude-induced adaptations to LHTH.

Methods

Fifteen elite athletes were selected to complete 4-weeks of LHTH (~ 2400 m). Athletes visited the laboratory for preliminary testing (PRE), to determine lactate threshold (LT), lactate turn point (LTP), maximal oxygen uptake VO2max and tHbmass. During LHTH, athletes completed daily physiological measures [arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and body mass] and subjective wellbeing questions. Testing was repeated, for those who completed the full camp, post-LHTH (POST). Additionally, athletes completed the HST prior to LHTH.

Results

A difference (P < 0.05) was found from PRE to POST in average tHbmass (1.8% ± 3.4%), VO2max (2.7% ± 3.4%), LT (6.1% ± 4.6%) and LTP (5.4% ± 3.8%), after 4-weeks LHTH. HST revealed a decrease in oxygen saturation at rest (ΔSpr) and higher hypoxic ventilatory response at rest (HVRr) predicted individual changes tHbmass. Lower hypoxic cardiac response at rest (HCRr) and higher HVRr predicted individual changes VO2max.

Conclusion

Four weeks of LHTH at ~ 2400 m increased tHbmass and enhanced physiological capacity in elite endurance runners. There was no observed relationship between these changes and baseline characteristics, pre-LHTH serum ferritin levels, or reported incidents of musculoskeletal injury or illness. The HST did however, estimate changes in tHbmass and VO2max. HST prior to LHTH could allow coaches and practitioners to better inform the acclimatisation strategies and training load application of endurance runners at altitude.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the athletes that participated in the training camp and testing period and the coaches for allowing flexibility within their training programmes to complete the testing.

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Extreme Laboratory, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK

    Gareth Turner, Alan J. Richardson & Neil S. Maxwell

  2. English Institute of Sport, Bisham Abbey, UK

    Gareth Turner

  3. Queensland Academy of Sport, Brisbane, Australia

    Kate L. Spilsbury

  4. English Institute of Sport, Loughborough, UK

    David J. Green

  5. Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar

    Barry W. Fudge

  6. University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Jamie S. M. Pringle

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  1. Gareth Turner
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Correspondence to Gareth Turner.

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The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work. The datasets generated during and/or analysed within the case study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Statement

Gareth Turner, Neil Maxwell, Alan Richardson, Jamie Pringle, and Barry Fudge contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Gareth Turner, David Green and Kate Spilsbury. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Gareth Turner and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Turner, G., Spilsbury, K.L., Green, D.J. et al. Predicting an Athlete’s Physiological and Haematological Response to Live High-Train High Altitude Training Using a Hypoxic Sensitivity Test. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE 4, 371–385 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00167-z

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