High Altitude Training (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

High Altitude Training as a Form of Aerobic Training

• High altitude training is a technique that can improve performance in aerobic activities

  • This includes endurance events, e.g. long distance running

• Training at altitude means carrying out training activities in places that are 2000 m or more above sea level

• The benefit of altitude training can be explained as follows:

  • At altitude, the concentration of oxygen in the air is lower than it is at sea level

  • Less oxygen enters the blood of a performer as they train, reducing blood oxygen concentration

  • The body of the performer compensates for the decrease in oxygen by increasing the production of red blood cells

  • When the performer returns to sea level, where air oxygen levels are higher, their blood can carry more oxygen than normal, aiding performance

High altitude training diagram

Training at altitude increases the body's red blood cell count, so increasing the ability of the blood to transport oxygen

Evaluating altitude training

• While altitude training can bring the aerobic benefits described above, the extent to which it benefits individual performers may vary

• Some of the limitations of altitude training include:

  • Altitude training is of no benefit to performers in anaerobic disciplines, e.g. sprint or long jump

  • Most performers need to travel in order to train at altitude; this may disrupt a training routine

  • Training at altitude is very challenging, and many athletes end up training less than they might do at sea level, so fitness may be lost

  • Some performers suffer from altitude sickness

  • Red blood cell count returns to normal within a few weeks of returning to low altitudes, so the benefits are short-lived