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Sea-level performance in runners using altitude tents: a field study.
E A Hinckson1, W G Hopkins, J S Fleming T Edwards
1Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. erica.hickson@aut.ac.nz
Altitude tents showed little to no improvement in sea-level running performance for competitive athletes. Simulated altitude exposure did not significantly enhance lactate threshold or endurance in this study.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Altitude Training
Background:
- Athletes often use simulated altitude exposure to enhance sea-level performance.
- Altitude tents create hypoxic environments for intermittent exposure.
- The efficacy of altitude tents on competitive running performance remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of simulated altitude exposure using tents on sea-level running performance.
- To assess changes in lactate threshold and time to exhaustion in runners exposed to hypoxia.
- To explore relationships between performance changes and altitude exposure parameters.
Main Methods:
- 10 competitive runners slept in altitude tents (2500-3500m) for 24-30 days.
- A control group of 10 runners maintained sea-level conditions.
- Lactate threshold and treadmill time to exhaustion were measured before and after exposure.
Main Results:
- A marginal, statistically unclear increase in lactate threshold speed was observed in the altitude group.
- A 16% increase in time to exhaustion was noted, suggesting a potential but small performance benefit.
- Performance changes showed no clear correlation with altitude exposure duration, ACE genotype, or hemoglobin concentration.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent hypoxic exposure via altitude tents demonstrated minimal to no significant improvement in sea-level running performance.
- The observed minor changes in endurance do not strongly support the use of altitude tents for competitive advantage.
- Further research may be needed to clarify optimal protocols and individual responses to altitude tent training.
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