The Effects of Altitude on Training and Racing Performance in Endurance Athletes
by Ryan Eckert, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Personal Training Quarterly
November 2020
Vol 7, Issue 3
The goal of this article is to define some of the basic physiological responses to acute and chronic altitude exposure and to provide some evidence-based, practical guidelines when approaching training and racing at higher altitudes.
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This article originally appeared in Personal Training Quarterly (PTQ)—a quarterly publication for NSCA Members designed specifically for the personal trainer. Discover easy-to-read, research-based articles that take your training knowledge further with Nutrition, Programming, and Personal Business Development columns in each quarterly, electronic issue. Read more articles from PTQ »
References
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3. Kenefick, RW, Beidleman BA, Andrew SP, Cadarette BS, Muza SR, and Fulco CS. Two-day residence at 2500 m to 4300 m does not affect subsequent exercise performance at 4300 m. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 51(4): 744-750, 2019.
4. NASA. 10 interesting things about air. Climate.Nasa.gov. 2016. Retrieved July, 2020 from https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2491/10- interesting-things-about-air.
5. Peronnet, F, Thibault, G, and Cousineau, DL. A theoretical analysis of the effect of altitude on running performance. Journal of Applied Physiology 70(1): 399-404, 1991.
6. Sam, K. Elite runners flocking to Flagstaff. Cronkite News. 2016. Retrieved July 2020 from https://cronkitenews.azpbs. org/2016/04/27/elite-runners-flocking-to-flagstaff/.
7. Saunders, PU, Telford, RD, Pyne, DB, Gore, CJ, and Hahn, AG. Improved race performance in elite middle-distance runners after cumulative altitude exposure. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 4(1): 134-138, 2009.
8. Saunders PU, Garvican-Lewis LA, Chapman RF, and Périard JD. Special environments: Altitude and heat. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 29(2): 210-219, 2019.
9. Shah, AB, and Coplan, N. Cardiovascular effects of altitude on performance athletes. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine 17(1- 2): 49-56, 2016.
About the author
Ryan Eckert, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
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Ryan Eckert holds both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degreein Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University and is aCertified Strength and Co ...
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