Does 'altitude training' increase exercise performance in elite athletes?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Altitude training is widely adopted for enhancing athletic performance.
• Scientific validation, particularly using double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, is notably absent.
• Existing studies often lack appropriate controls, warranting increased skepticism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the methodologies and theoretical underpinnings of altitude training paradigms.
• To identify and highlight well-designed studies in the field.
• To provide athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals with an evidence-based overview of altitude training.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on the scientific rigor of altitude training studies.
• Analysis of common altitude training methodologies and their theoretical basis.
• Identification of studies employing robust experimental designs, including appropriate controls.

Main Results:

• Significant weaknesses identified in the theoretical frameworks and methodologies of many altitude training approaches.
• Few studies meet the gold-standard criteria for scientific rigor, such as double-blind, placebo-controlled designs.
• Existing evidence for performance enhancement through altitude training is often based on limited or poorly controlled research.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for greater scientific skepticism regarding the purported benefits of current altitude training practices.
• Well-controlled, rigorously designed studies are essential to elucidate the actual mechanisms and efficacy of altitude training.
• Future research should prioritize robust methodologies to provide definitive insights into altitude training's impact on sport performance.