Monitoring Physiological Performance over 4 Weeks Moderate Altitude Training in Elite Chinese Cross-Country Skiers: An Observational Study

Yichao Yu, Ruolin Wang, Dongye Li and Yifan Lu ()
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Yichao Yu: The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing 100084, China
Ruolin Wang: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Dongye Li: The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing 100084, China
Yifan Lu: The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing 100084, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: The current observational study aimed to monitor the physiological performance over 4 weeks of living and training at a moderate altitude in elite Chinese cross-country skiers (8 males, mean age 20.83 ± 1.08 years). Lactate threshold, maximal oxygen uptake, blood, and body composition tests were performed at different time points to investigate the changes in physiological performance. The data were analysed by a one-way repeated measures ANOVA and a paired sample T-test between the test results. During the training camp, systematic load monitoring was carried out. Lactate threshold velocity, lactate threshold heart rate, and upper body muscle mass increased significantly ( p < 0.01) after moderate altitude training. Maximum oxygen uptake was reduced compared to pre-tests ( p < 0.05). Aerobic capacity parameters (maximal oxygen uptake, haemoglobin, red blood cell count) did not significantly increase after athletes returned to sea level ( p > 0.05). These findings suggest that 4 weeks of moderate altitude training can significantly improve athletes’ lactate threshold and upper body muscle mass; no significant improvement in other aerobic capacity was seen. Exposure time, training load, and nutritional strategies should be thoroughly planned for optimal training of skiers at moderate altitudes.

Keywords: cross-country skiing; physiological performance; moderate altitude training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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