Altitude Training

Altitude Training

For those who are fortunate enough to have access to mountains, altitude training has been providing an ‘edge’ to athletes for decades.

The reduced oxygen availability at altitude has a huge number of benefits and that’s why the best athletes in the world are training using altitude – now you can too with Tri Alliance’s Mask based altitude traning system by Altitude Technology Solutions.

Major benefits from Altitude Training are:

• Improved aerobic performance
• Increased metabolic rate and calorie burn
• Improved oxygen utilisation
• Time efficient training
• Improved physiological function

What is Altitude Training

Altitude Training

In comparison to training at sea level, training at altitude gives you greater fitness benefits in a shorter period of time. It is approximately 20% harder to train at altitude than at sea level.

Exposure to reduced oxygen levels (altitude or hypoxia) is a challenge to the human body because oxygen is the primary source of energy for our cells. Even a minor reduction in oxygen triggers a multitude of physiological responses within the body.  Under a state of hypoxia (low oxygen levels) the body strives to produce required amounts of energy with less oxygen available, improving the body’s ability to utilise oxygen.

The physiology of altitude (hypoxic) training and it’s effect on the human body is very complex. To read more about the effects of altitude training, feel free to visit Altitude Technology Solutions Science page.

How it works

Altitude Training

Tri Alliance utilise the mask based system by Altitude Technology Solutions. Our systems reach a peak of 5,000 metres.

You will undertake an initial baseline test to determine your response and tolerance to different altitude levels and to set the platform to compare your body’s performance over time. This is also used to determine how and at what levels you will be trained at.

You will be provided with a structured program protocol for the duration of your block of sessions and you will be tested though out to monitor your body’s response.

A minimum of 8 weeks and a frequency of 2-3 30min sessions per week is recommended as an introductory protocol. Training can be performed on your own bike in combination with our CompuTrainer System or on a treadmill.

Benefits of Altitude Training
Sports Performance

• Increased V02 max (max rate of oxygen usage)
• Enhanced power output and speed
• Improved strength and endurance
• Increased exercise-till-exhaustion (ETE) time
• Reduced recovery time after exertion
• Decreased resting heart-rate and blood pressure
• Maintenance of cardiovascular fitness when injured
• Diminished overall fatigue
• as an added bonus – it is time efficient training! (it’s 20% harder to train at altitude than at seas level!)

Health, wellbeing and weight loss

• Burn more calories
• Improved efficiency of aerobic training
• Less stress on your joints for greater aerobic benefits
• Improved Resting Metabolic Rate
• Increased production of G 4 protein (used in glycogen metabolism and insulin regulation)
• More time efficient and less physically demanding aerobic training

Rehabilitation
Oxygen delivery to damaged muscles and ligaments is crucial to your recovery process – the more oxygen delivered to the muscles / tissues the faster the recovery. Localised oxygen treatment (ie hyperbaric chamber) is an established rehabilitation aid but unfortunately when the oxygen devise is removed, the beneficial results are also removed. On the other hand, hypoxic (altitude) training increases your individual ability to transfer oxygen to the damaged / injured area after treatment.  So when you are not doing the hypoxic training (the remaining 23 hours of the day!) you are left improved oxygen utilisation for healing – which equals a quicker recovery time!

As an added benefit, altitude training while injured helps maintain cardiovascular fitness, so you will reduce your fitness degradation while injured.

Pre-acclimatisation
A person’s reaction to high altitude is heavily dependent on genetics. Certain people are predisposed to acquiring AMS more severely than others. However, studies show that 80% of people ascending to altitudes of13000ft/4000m or higher will suffer the debilitating symptoms of AMS (headache, nausea, insomnia) to some extent. This risk cannot be completely eliminated, but it can be predicted, controlled and significantly reduced.

By exercising / training in hypoxia (altitude) before leaving for an expedition, event, climb or vacation, you can pre-acclimatise and prepare your body for exposure to these extreme altitudes.

• Reduced symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
• Improved power and endurance
• Diminished fatigue
• Decreased recovery time after aerobic and anaerobic efforts
• Money saved by minimising time spent acclimatising on site
• Increased probability of a successful summit attempt

Why Altitude Training – Tri Alliance talks with athlete Dan Brueckner who has been incorporating Altitude Training into his program to improve his training and racing performance.

More information
Our trainers hold a Level 1 Accreditation in Altitude Training through Altitude Technology Solutions and are also accredited Personal Trainers and Level 1 and/or 2 Triathlon Coaches.

Contact us for further information and pricing. 1300 680 874