Living and training at 825m incorporated with simulated altitude improves blood parameters in soccer players
Date
2015-09-02
Type
Conference Contribution - unpublished
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Abstract
Much of the research on altitude training for athletes has focused on haematological variables; with inconclusive results. The lack of consistent findings may due to the dose and forms of altitude training and the iron status of the individual athletes. This research aimed 81 to investigate the effects of natural altitude training supplemented with intermittent hypoxic
training (IHT) and iron supplementation on erythropoietin (EPO), red blood cells (RBC) and serum iron concentration in soccer players. Forty university soccer athletes were divided into 4 groups; Sea-level training (ST; N=lO), sea-level training with iron supplementation (SI; N=lO), supplemented altitude training (AT; N=lO), supplemented altitude training with iron supplementation (Al; N=lO). All athletes were matched on their soccer ability and followed the same soccer training program for 8 weeks. The altitude groups stayed and trained at 825 m with the addition of 15 min simulated altitude training daily on bike. All athletes performed
a pre-test (1-2 days prior to training) and two post tests on day 1 and day 14 after the training camp. By day 1 post camp, compared to the baseline values, EPO concentration and RBC numbers increased substantially in the Al group (14.5 ± 6.6% and 5.3 ± 0.2% respectively, mean± SD), however only RBC numbers were substantially improved in the AT group (5.7 ±
0.3%). By day 14 post camp, compared to baseline, RBC numbers had increased in both altitude training groups (5.3 ± 0.3%, 5.6 ± 0.3%, Al and AT groups respectively), along with a substantial increase in serum iron concentration (144.7 ± 16.8%, 139.2 ± 32.7%, Al and AT groups respectively). Supplementing 8 weeks of living and training at low altitude with 15 min daily of IHT improves haematological variables important to aerobic performance. These changes may prove beneficial for soccer players.