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Specificity of "Live High-Train Low" Altitude Training on Exercise Performance
Jacob Bejder1, Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg
1Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews
|January 19, 2018
Summary
The "Live High-Train Low" (LHTL) method shows no performance benefits in athletes when rigorously studied. Strict scientific controls reveal that observed improvements are likely due to training camp effects, not LHTL itself.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Altitude Training
Background:
- The "Live High-Train Low" (LHTL) hypothesis suggests altitude exposure enhances endurance.
- Many studies report performance improvements following LHTL protocols.
- Potential confounding factors like training camp effects are often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the efficacy of LHTL on sport-specific exercise performance.
- To determine if LHTL provides a measurable advantage over traditional training methods.
- To investigate the impact of rigorous scientific controls on LHTL outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on LHTL.
- Emphasis on studies incorporating control groups and blinding procedures.
- Application of strict scientific evaluation criteria.
Main Results:
- Many studies lack adequate control groups, suggesting potential "training camp effects".
- When control groups, blinding, and strict criteria are used, LHTL shows no detectable performance enhancement.
- The hypothesis that LHTL improves sport-specific performance is not supported under rigorous conditions.
Conclusions:
- The purported benefits of LHTL on athletic performance are questionable.
- Rigorous scientific methodology is crucial for valid conclusions in exercise science.
- The "training camp effect" may explain performance improvements attributed to LHTL.