Physiological and Performance Responses to a Preseason Altitude-Training Camp in Elite Team-Sport Athletes

Purpose: Little research has been done on the physiological and performance effects of altitude training on team-sport athletes. Therefore, this study examined changes in 2000-m time-trial running performance (TT), hemoglobin mass (Hb_mass), and intramuscular carnosine content of elite Australian Football (AF) players after a preseason altitude camp. Methods: Thirty elite AF players completed 19 days of living and training at either moderate altitude (∼2130 m; ALT, n = 21) or sea level (CON, n = 9). TT performance and Hb _mass were assessed preintervention (PRE) and postintervention (POST1) in both groups and at 4 wk after returning to sea level (POST2) in ALT only. Results: Improvement in TT performance after altitude was likely 1.5% (± 4.8-90%CL) greater in ALT than in CON, with an individual responsiveness of 0.8%. Improvements in TT were maintained at POST2 in ALT. Hb_mass after altitude was very likely increased in ALT compared with CON (2.8% ± 3.5%), with an individual responsiveness of 1.3%. Hb_mass returned to baseline at POST2. Intramuscular carnosine did not change in either gastrocnemius or soleus from PRE to POST1. Conclusions: A preseason altitude camp improved TT performance and Hb_mass in elite AF players to a magnitude similar to that demonstrated by elite endurance athletes undertaking altitude training. The individual responsiveness of both TT and Hb _mass was approximately half the group mean effect, indicating that most players gained benefit. The maintenance of running performance for 4 wk, despite Hb_mass returning to baseline, suggests that altitude training is a valuable preparation for AF players leading into the competitive season.