Effect of Altitude Training on Sea Level Aerobic and Anaerobic Power of Elite Athletes 739

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and training pace are decreased in elite athletes at mild and moderate altitude. In the present study the effect of altitude training on sea level aerobic and anaerobic power was studied in elite male cross-country and biathlon skiers (VO2max > 75 ml·kg-1·min-1). Fourteen skiers (ALT) trained and raced for 18-28 days at altitude of 1600-1800m and 7 skiers (SL) trained and raced at sea level. VO2max as well as maximal (Pmax) and submaximal (P5mM) anaerobic power expressed as oxygen demand of incremental n · 20-s skistriding exercise to exhaustion were determined, orthostatic heart rate test was done and blood samples were taken before, and within one week after the experimental period.Table *Interaction p<0.05, +significant group change p<0.05. (Mean± SD) ANOVA also indicated increased hemoglobin and hematocrit in ALT, and decreased orthostatic heart rate response (from supine to standing) and serum testosterone in SL while cortisol was unchanged. In ALT, change in serum cortisol correlated with the change in P5mM (r=-0.68, p<0.05). We concluded that in elite endurance athletes sea level VO2max was unchanged and anaerobic power was decreased after moderate altitude training probably due to enhanced stress and decreased training pace at altitude.