Seven intermittent exposures to altitude improves exercise performance at 4300 m

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Altitude Physiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Intermittent altitude exposures (IAE) are explored for inducing physiological adaptations similar to chronic altitude acclimatization.
• Understanding the impact of IAE, with or without concurrent exercise, on performance and physiological responses at high altitudes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if seven days of IAE at 4300 m, combined with rest or exercise training, enhances time-trial exercise performance.
• To determine if these IAE protocols induce physiological adaptations consistent with chronic altitude acclimatization.

Main Methods:

• Ten lowlanders underwent cycle endurance testing before and after a 7-day intermittent altitude exposure (IAE) protocol at 4300 m.
• Testing included constant-work rate exercise followed by a time-trial performance test.
• Participants were divided into two groups: one group performed exercise training during IAE, while the other rested.

Main Results:

• A 16% improvement in time-trial cycling performance was observed after 7 days of IAE.
• Significant physiological adaptations included increased exercise arterial O2 saturation and decreased exercise heart rate and perceived exertion.
• Both rest and exercise training groups showed similar improvements, indicating the effectiveness of IAE regardless of concurrent activity.

Conclusions:

• Seven days of intermittent altitude exposures (IAE) at 4300 m effectively improve time-trial cycling performance.
• IAE, with or without exercise training, induces physiological adaptations comparable to chronic altitude acclimatization.
• This suggests IAE is a viable strategy for enhancing exercise capacity at high altitudes.