Responders and non-responders of live high-train low (LHTL) altitude training

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate differences between athlete’s that responded (improved their performance) compared to athletes that did not respond (decreased their performance) after a 20-day “live high, train low” (LHTL) training camp. Ten elite triathletes completed 20 days of live high, train low training. The athletes underwent two 800-m swim time trials at sea-level (1 week prior to and 1 week post-altitude camp), and two 10-min standardised submaximal cycle tests at altitude (1650m) completed on the first and last day of the training camp. Based on their 800-m time trial results athletes were divided into responders (improved performance, n = 6), and non-responders (performance decreased, n = 4). All subjects increased oxygen consumption and ventilation during the 10-min steady-state cycle test on day 20 compared to day 1 (VO2 = 1.8, 2.1 and 1.4, 2.8 L.min-1; VE = 74.0, 88.6 and 94.3, 96.9 for the responders and non-responders respectively). Compared to non-responders the responders had lower heart rates (-6.3 ± 7.8%, mean ± 90% confidence interval), but higher blood oxygen saturations (1.2 ± 1.3%) at the end of the 10-min submaximal cycle test. Our results suggest considerable individual variation exists in response to 20 days of LHTL in elite triathletes undergoing similar training. Changes in respiration during exercise may help explain these individual differences.