The effects of alternate exposure to altitude and sea level on world-class middle-distance runners

Oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation and performance of 6 champion runners were observed over a 10-week period during which they trained alternately at sea level and 2300-meters altitude. Acute exposure to altitude resulted in a 14% drop in max VO2, 8% slower 1-mile and 10% slower 3-mile running times, and a 7% increase in max VE BTPS. By the 5th week at altitude max Vo2 had risen to within 10% of sea-level control values (within 8% for subjects who had a 6th week at altitude), running times to within 3% and 8% of control, and max VE BTPS to 14% above control. Max VE STPD remained closely related to max Vo2 and max VE BTPS to MVV during all altitude tests. In postaltitude tests max Vo2 was 5% and max VE 9% above prealtitude values. The subjects also ran 14 personal best times in post-altitude races. Vo2 during sub-maximal running was higher following altitude training than before or during altitude tests; the subjects worked at 92–98% of max Vo2 during their 3-mile race pace. It was concluded that intermittent sea-level stays of as long as 11 days did not interfere with altitude acclimatization and that both altitude and post-altitude performances benefited from the program.