European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology
ISSN: 0301-5548 (printed version)
ISSN: 1432-1025 (electronic version)
Table of Contents
Abstract Volume 75 Issue 2 (1997) pp 136-143
Reduced performance of male and female athletes at 580 m altitude
C. J. Gore (1), S. C. Little (2), A. G. Hahn (3), G. C. Scroop (2), K. I. Norton (4), P. C. Bourdon (5), S. M. Woolford (5), J. D. Buckley (4), T. Stanef (5), D. P. Campbell (3), D. B. Watson (6), D. L. Emonson (6)
(1) Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 21, Henley Beach, South Australia 5022, Australia
(2) Exercise Physiology Unit, The University of Adelaide, GPO Box 498, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
(3) Centre for Sport Science and Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 76, Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory 2616, Australia
(4) School of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science, University of South Australia, Underdale Campus, Holbrooks Rd, Underdale, South Australia 5032, Australia
(5) South Australian Sports Institute, PO Box 219, Brooklyn Park South Australia 5032, Australia
(6) Institute of Aviation Medicine, RAAF Base Edinburgh, Salisbury South Australia 5111, Australia
Accepted: 30 July 1996
Abstract This study examined the effect of mild hypobaria (MH) on the peak oxygen consumption (<$>\dot V<$>O2peak) and performance of ten trained male athletes [<$>\bar x<$> (SEM); <$>\dot V<$>O2peak = 72.4 (2.2) ml · kg-1 · min-1] and ten trained female athletes [<$>\dot V<$>O2peak = 60.8 (2.1) ml · kg-1 · min-1]. Subjects performed 5-min maximal work tests on a cycle ergometer within a hypobaric chamber at both normobaria (N, 99.33 kPa) and at MH (92.66 kPa), using a counter-balanced design. MH was equivalent to 580 m altitude. <$>\dot V<$>O2peak at MH decreased significantly compared with N in both men [- 5.9 (0.9)%] and women [- 3.7 (1.0)%]. Performance (total kJ) at MH was also reduced significantly in men [- 3.6 (0.8)%] and women [- 3.8 (1.2)%]. Arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SaO2) at <$>\dot V<$>O2peak was significantly lower at MH compared with N in both men [90.1 (0.6)% versus 92.0 (0.6)%] and women [89.7 (3.1)% versus 92.1 (3.0)%]. While SaO2 at <$>\dot {V}<$>O2peak was not different between men and women, it was concluded that relative, rather than absolute, <$>\dot V<$>O2peak may be a more appropriate predictor of exercise-induced hypoxaemia. For men and women, it was calculated that 67-76% of the decrease in <$>\dot V<$>O2peak could be accounted for by a decrease in O2 delivery, which indicates that reduced O2 tension at mild altitude (580 m) leads to impairment of exercise performance in a maximal work bout lasting \approx 5 min.
can find these at
http://link.springer-ny.com/search.htm
doing a search on altitude, performance etc...
lots of info.