A 9-week flatland training program incorporating step and cross-country running significantly improved heart rate recovery after physical exertion at 3200m altitude compared to standard training.
Does a specialized flat-terrain training program improve physiological adaptation (heart rate recovery and reaction time) to high-altitude hypoxia in amateur mountaineers?
A specialized 9-week flat-terrain training program incorporating step and cross-country running improves cardiovascular recovery and physiological adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in amateur mountaineers.
Absolute Event Rate: 78.83% vs 109.67%
p-value: p=<0.001
Purpose: We develop and experimentally substantiate the use of a method of training amateur mountaineers in conditions of flat terrain to high altitude and ascent to the top. Material and methods: The study involved 12 men (age 20-25 years old) who have 1 year experience in mountaineering. The participants were divided into two groups, control and experimental, 6 people each. The study was conducted from March to August 2021. The intervention program lasted 9 weeks. All participants gave their consent to participate in the experiment. Methods: Physical fitness was measured by the 20 squat test. The resting heart rate was measured while standing. Psychophysiological condition was determined with the "International Reaction Test", the test shows the reaction time to a stimulus. Altitude was chosen as an influence factor on reaction time and HR in different test modes: initial testing (plain), testing at an altitude of 1900 m and at an altitude of 3200 m. Results: The altitude factor had no significant effect on preload reaction time in both control and experimental groups (p>0.05). However, a significant influence of altitude on post-load reaction time was found in both control and experimental groups (p<0,05). HR was significantly influenced by altitude in both control and experimental groups. However, the effect is stronger in the control group than in the experimental group. Conclusions. The method increasing tolerance in hypoxia has a positive effect on the organism recovery after the stress in conditions of natural hypoxia, observed during climbing in the mountains.
Ryepko et al. (2023) studied Amateur mountaineers (n=12). Flatland training program including step running and cross-country running vs. Standard training program (stadium running, bicycle, treadmill) was evaluated on Heart rate after 5 minutes of recovery following a standard load at 3200m altitude (bpm) (p=<0.001). A 9-week flatland training program incorporating step and cross-country running significantly improved heart rate recovery after physical exertion at 3200m altitude compared to standard training.