Altitude

Question 1

when do the effects of altitude begin

Answer 1

1500m

Question 2

what does the pp of O2 being lower at altitude mean

Answer 2

less )2 in atmosphere

Question 3

what is altitude

Answer 3

how far above sea level

Question 4

define short term effects of altitude

Answer 4

what happens to you immediately as you go up to altitude

Question 5

define long term effects of altitude

Answer 5

changes in body as result of stain at altitude for prolonged period of time

Question 6

how long must you stay at altitude to see long term effects/physiological adaptations

Answer 6

at leat 3 weeks

Question 7

why is air thinner the higher you go

Answer 7

less molecules of air, ppO2 lower

Question 8

short term effects of altitude on cardiovascular system (6)

Answer 8

• dehydration (dryer air)
• hypoxia (not enough blood to tissues)
• decreased blood plasma
• decreased stroke volume (vol blood leaves LV/beat)
• increased heart rate
• decreased max cardiac output (vol blood leaves heart/min)

Question 9

short term effects of altitude respiratory system (2)

Answer 9

• increased breathing rate (hyperventilation)
• decreased VO2 max (aerobic capacity)

Question 10

long term edicts/physiological adaptations of altitude (4)

Answer 10

• increased haemoglobin & red blood cell production
• lower diffusion gradient
• increased external respiration
• increased O2 transport

Question 11

what happens at the acclimatisation stage of adaptation and what time period is it over

Answer 11

• athletes body begins to adjust
• 3-10 days

Question 12

what happens at the primary training stage of adaptation and what time period is it over

Answer 12

• athlete steadily increases training intensity & frequency until at same point as sea level
• 1-3 weeks

Question 13

what happens at the recovery stage of adaptation and what time period is it over

Answer 13

• training decreased - allow athlete to return to sea level without fatigue
• 2-5 days

Question 14

what happens at the positive phase stage of adaptation and what time period is it over

Answer 14

• first 1-4 days after returning to sea level
• huge increase in amount of haemoglobin in the blood

Question 15

what happens at the return phase stage of adaptation

Answer 15

• athlete steadily returns to intensity & frequency of normal sea level training
• performance = poor at first then increases greatly over next few days

Question 16

what happens at the fitness peak stage of adaptation and what time period is it over

Answer 16

• 15-20 days after return to sea level
• optimal time for competition
• body adaptations at optimal level - allows for best possible performance

Question 17

what technology can help improve performance

Answer 17

• sleep in hypoxic chamber
• train in hypoxic chamber

Question 18

advantages of altitude training (2)

Answer 18

• improves endurance
• adaptation of CVS to fuel working muscles - produce more haemoglobin - more O2 to WM

Question 19

disadvantages of altitude training (6)

Answer 19

• expensive
• can cause altitude sickness
• may hinder amount of training ability
• problems may cause de-training effect
• unfair advantage to those with access to facilities
• stressful - constant travelling & away from home

Question 20

acclimatisation define & example

Answer 20

• process of gradual adaptation to change in environment
• e.g. lower ppO2 at altitude