Training Diaries during Altitude Training Camp in Two Olympic Champions: an Observational Case Study
In this article it discusses the Live High Train High (LHTH) method of altitude training. This case study was an attempt to provide successful examples of LHTH interventions. In this study they use two elite endurance athletes who were training for the Olympics. This article also discuss how altitude acclimatization allows additional training load compared to sea level. The problem some people had with this LHTH method is they were not able to maintain the training velocities required the consequence of the reduction of training intensity at altitude might have compromised sea level performance. In the case of these two participants this did not happen instead they were able to train at the same intensity just for shorter duration at altitude training as they were at sea level which in the end help their performance level and help them win the gold olympics. The two participants train for nine consecutive weeks and divided into three periods 3 weeks of sea level training, three weeks of LHTH, and three weeks of sea level training after LHTH. Training intensities zones were calculated as a percentage of race pace which was chosen by the coaches. To make sure their pace was accurate the coaches followed them on the bike with a GPS device. They prove that extensive altitude training experience and several years of training at high level can maintain the same absolute intensity during LHTH compared to sea level. There was no sickness or injuries which really help them to be able to perform their best during training. what was interesting about this study is both athletes were able to maintain training quality at altitude and sea level. However studies on investigating on elite endurance athletes are still limited because it is not possible to provide a clear conclusion concerning the effectiveness of LHTH. It has been shown that performance can be improved by increasing/maintaining training intensity while reducing the volume during the tapering phase of training. Training intensity is the key factor when determining the success of LHTH training.
Source: Lorenzo Pugliese, Fabio R. Serpillo, Gregoire P. Millet, Department of biomedical sciences for health; university deli study di milano, italy, College of Sport and Exercise Science
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