Aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities of elite middle‐distance runners after two weeks of training at moderate altitude

The effect of short‐term altitude training on sea‐level physiological characteristics in elite runners was investigated. Seven middle‐distance runners (6 men, 1 woman) belonging to the Swedish national team (mean age 23 years) spent 2 weeks of training at 2000 m above sea level in Kenya. Treadmill tests were performed before and 6 and 12 d after the altitude sojourn. Six other runners (4 men, 2 women) had a corresponding training sojourn at sea level in Portugal (control group). Ro of the runners (1 man, 1 woman) in the Kenya group were omitted from the study because of gastroenteritis. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max ; pretravel: Kenya group 212 and control group 188 ml · kg −0.75 ‐ min −1 ), maximal treadmill time and oxygen cost of running were unchanged in both groups. The maximal oxygen deficit increased in all subjects after the Kenya sojourn (mean 19±6%). Heart rates during running at specified submaximal running velocities were lower post‐altitude (Kenya group), but tended to be higher after sea‐level training (control group). Maximal heart rate was unchanged in both groups. Perceived exertion (Borg) during submaximal running was lower post‐altitude. Submaximal and maximal blood lactate and plasma catecholamine concentrations were not altered in any of the groups. Post‐exhaustive plasma ammonia levels were decreased 12 d after altitude descent in the Kenya group. The results suggest an unchanged aerobic capacity in elite middle‐distance runners after short‐term training at moderate altitude. However, a change in the circulatory regulation during submaximal exercise was observed. Furthermore, anaerobic capacity improved but this bore no clear relation to lactate or ammonia metabolism.