ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Altitude
• Acclimatisation

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Altitude

• At altitudes of approx 1500m above sea level the
  ability to perform physical work is affected.
• The higher the altitude the more severe the
  effect.

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Altitude

• Training programs can be undertaken in these
  climates as either preparation for competing at
  high altitude or in an attempt to establish
  benefits in preparation for competition in
  regions of lower altitude or at sea level.

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Altitude

• Short-term anaerobic work is not affected by
  altitude, but longer tem aerobic performances are
  diminished.
• At altitude there is a reduced oxygen
  concentration in the air.
• Effect volume of oxygen carried per litre of
  blood decreases.

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Altitude

• Less oxygen abailable to fuel the bodys energy
  processes more blood needed to deliver the same
  quantity of oxygen to the tissues increase in
  heart rate.

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Altitude
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Altitude

• When exercising at altitude you must decrease the
  intensity due to lack of oxygen.
• Lower humidity and air temperatures at altitude
  also create temperature regulation problems in
  the body.

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Altitude

• Benefits of altitude training
• Increased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
• Reduced air resistance better for throwing,
  jumping and sprinting events.

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Altitude

• Question What does this mean in terms of
  endurance / aerobic events at sea level?

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Altitude

• If competing at high altitude, athletes will
  commonly spend a reasonable period of time at
  high altitude to acclimatise.
• Period ranges from 2-4 weeks.
• .

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Altitude

• Some employ stop over techniques. They arrive
  at high altitude as close as possible to the day
  of competition and leave straight after
  competing. They are then only exposed for a very
  short time reducing the time and physical
  difficulties experienced with acclimatisation

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Acclimatisation

• The lack of enough oxygen at altitude stimulates
  physiological adaptations that improve tolerance
  of the changed conditions both at rest and
  during exercise.
• Process acclimatisation.

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Acclimatisation

• Immediate physiological responses
• Increased ventilation occurs within a few hours
  of arriving and stabilises after approx. 1 week.
• Increased cardiac output heart beats faster,
  not more blood pumped out.
• Increased blood pressure.

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Acclimatisation

• Longer term adjustments
• Increased amount of red blood cells and
  haemoglobin.
• pH balance of body fluids.
• Changes to tissues and cells.

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Acclimatisation

• The longer a person stays at altitude, the better
  the performance.
• Some people are unable to acclimatise mountain
  sickness. They descend too quickly.

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Acclimatisation

• Benefits of altitude training is lost 2-3 weeks
  after returning to sea level.

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Acclimatisation

• Questions
• Draw a chart showing the effect of altitude on
  heart rate and ventilation. Explain why these
  changes occur.
• What effects would pollution have on performance?