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Training Load and Performance Characteristics Across Two Consecutive Winter Altitude-Training Cycles in Women's
Yangyang Zhang1,2, Yuan Li1, Zhijun Meng3
1Faculty of Health Sciences and Sports, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao SAR, China.
Abstract:
Zhang, Yangyang, Yuan Li, Zhijun Meng, and Binghong Gao. Training load and performance characteristics across two consecutive winter altitude-training cycles in women's quadruple sculls olympic champions preparing for the Beijing Olympics. High Alt Med Biol 00:00-00, 2026.
Background:
Longitudinal evidence from Olympic-level rowing squads across consecutive winter preparations is scarce.
Methods:
This retrospective longitudinal case series described weekly training load and pre-to-post ergometer performance in a five-rower preparation squad during linked 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 winter altitude-training cycles at ∼2,300 m; four athletes later formed the Beijing Olympic champion crew.
Results:
Intensity-coded volume totaled 3,911.4 and 4,127.4 km. The second cycle contained more ergometer work and a larger share of Levels V-VI rowing. Mean 2,000-m time changed by -5.98 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI]: -16.24 to 4.28; p = 0.181) and -6.00 seconds (95% CI: -10.71 to -1.29; p = 0.024), respectively. The between-cycle change-score estimate was 0.02 seconds (95% CI: -12.31 to 12.33; p = 0.997). The two lactate-test protocols were interpreted separately. All five athletes improved in the available first-cycle 6,000-m comparison.
Conclusions:
Across two Olympic-preparation winters, distinct training-load organizations were each accompanied by favorable sport-specific performance trajectories. These rare Olympic-champion records provide an applied benchmark for describing how volume, modality, and intensity were reorganized and reinforce the value of athlete-specific monitoring without prescribing a universal training model.
