Altitude

Question 1

Short races

Answer 1

lower air density at altitude offers less resistance to high-speed movement
lower PO2 no effect on performance as anaerobic
sprint performances = not affected or improved
improve jumping

Question 2

Long races

Answer 2

performance demands more dependent on oxygen delivery to muscle
lower PO2

Question 3

High altitude amounts

Answer 3

same percentage O2, CO2 and N2
lower partial pressure O2, CO2 and N2

2O2
8N2
air 21% O2 but thinner at altitude

Question 4

Atmospheric pressure

Answer 4

decreases at higher altitude

Question 5

Hypoxia

Answer 5

low PO2
altitude

reduction in arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2)
= disruption homeostasis triggers neuroendocrine responses that regulate important adjustments in key physiological systems

Question 6

Normoxia

Answer 6

normal PO2
sea level

Question 7

Hyperoxia

Answer 7

high PO2

Question 8

Hypoxaemia

Answer 8

low level oxygen in blood

Question 9

Side effects of altitude

Answer 9

lightheadedness/headache
insomnia, nausea, vomiting
dyspnoea, anoerexia, GI disturbance
lethargy, general weakness
collapse

Question 10

Short-term adjustments to altitude

Answer 10

immediate = more O2

ventilation changes = hyperventilation, raises alveolar O2, lowers alveolar CO2, alkalosis
increase for same workloads

cardiovascular changes = increase resting HR and CO
due to lower oxygen content and increased SNA

reduced humidity, dehydration, sunstroke/blindness (UV light)

Question 11

Changes VO2max

Answer 11

decline with increasing altidude
no adverse for events <2mins

Question 12

Effects of high altitude on HR response to max exercise

Answer 12

lower max HR - activation PNS
parasympathetic blockade (glycopyrrolate) restore max HR response to exercise
lactate paradox

Question 13

Benefit acclimatisation

Answer 13

increase minute ventilation after 4 days
increase HR
decrease SV
decrease CO - fall due to Fick’s law

more O2 in blood improves O2 extraction capacity = less reliance on central delivery (less cardiac strain)

Question 14

Blood changes

Answer 14

polycythemia (increase RBC mass) due to increased EPO
increase O2 carrying capacity of blood 200-310mL/litre
decreased plasma volume
increase Bohr shift

Question 15

Vascular/ceullar changes

Answer 15

increased capillarisation
increased myoglobin in muscles
increased aerobic enzyme (citrate synthase)
increased lactate comsumption and oxidation by active muscle

a-vO2 difference falls but widens following acclimatisation

Question 16

Benefits high altitude training

Answer 16

blood changes (red cell mass)
cellular changes
circulatory changes
improved mitochondria function
increased buffering capacity

Question 17

Detriments high altitude training

Answer 17

blood changes (viscosity)
cardiovascular changes
loss of training intensity
reduced muscle mass
increased ventilatory response

Question 18

Solutions high altitude training

Answer 18

live high
train low
tents (hypoxicator) - performance enhancer

Question 19

Live high, train low

Answer 19

live high altitude = increase red blood cell mass via EPO = increase VO2max
train at low altitude = maintain high interval training velocity

Question 20

Consider

Answer 20

depends on individual - low vs high responder, ind diff, training state before, hypoxic ventilatory sensitivity
pre-test to determine likelihood of effect
benefit from a camp effect?

Question 21

Relationship VO2max and altitude

Answer 21

decrease

however with acclimation potential to increase - increase EPO, RBC mass, improved mitochondria function, increased buffering capacity