Altitude & Seasonal Training

Altitude Training

Altitude training is a form of aerobic (with oxygen) training that happens above sea level. Most athletes have to travel to specific locations to do this because of the heights needed. The performer needs to train at a high altitude of over 2000m above sea level.

Less oxygen at altitude

At this altitude, there is less oxygen in the air.
This makes training extremely difficult as the oxygen-carrying capacity is reduced.
This means that the body has to work harder to make up for this.

Body adaptations

After training in these conditions for a period of time, the body begins to adapt and begins to produce more red blood cells.
The increase in red blood cells means that the body is able to absorb and use more of the oxygen that is in the air (more energy).

At normal altitude

When a performer then returns to sea level, there is more oxygen in the air than there is at altitude.
The performer now (temporarily) has more red blood cells in their blood.
This means that the performer’s body uses more of the oxygen in the air at sea level.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Altitude Training

Advantages

If a performer increases their oxygen-carrying capacity, their performance in aerobic events will get better (a marathon runner will be able to complete the race in a faster time).

Disadvantages

There are no benefits to anaerobic performance because energy is produced without oxygen (a shot putter will not benefit from this as it is an explosive (quick burst) anaerobic event).

Seasonal Aspects

Athletes can split their training into 3 phases.

Pre-season

This is the preparation phase of training.
The aim of pre-season is to develop a performer’s general fitness.
For most sports, this includes improving aerobic fitness as well as developing sport specific fitness (e.g. agility in football for dribbling; or strength in rugby for tackling; or flexibility in gymnastics for floor routines).
This is done before developing techniques and tactics.

Peak season

This is the competitive phase of training.
The aim of peak season is to keep up fitness.
Performers will also develop the tactics and techniques that they need for their sports (e.g. defensive shape in football; or serving technique in tennis).

Post-season

This is the recovery phase of training.
The aim is to rest and recover from the previous season.
Performers will keep up some light aerobic and sport specific training so that their fitness levels do not decrease too much.

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure

1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton

1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton

1.1.4Joints

1.1.5Joints 2

1.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement

1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System

1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air

1.2.2Blood Vessels

1.2.3Blood Vessels 2

1.2.4Structure of the Heart

1.2.5Cardiac Cycle

1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance

1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing

1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 2

1.2.9The Lungs

1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System

1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

1.3.2Recovering After Exercise

1.3.3Treatments for Recovery

1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise

2Movement Analysis

2.1Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems

2.1.2Mechanical Advantage

2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements

2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 2

2.2Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis

2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement

3Physical Training

3.1Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness

3.2The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness

3.2.2Sports & Fitness

3.2.3Fitness Testing

3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance

3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination

3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power

3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength

3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness

3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests

4The Principles of Training

4.1Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training

4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training

4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training

4.1.4Weight & Interval Training

4.2Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training

4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training

4.2.3Warming Up

4.2.4Cooling Down

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation

4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness

5Using Data

5.1Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data

5.1.2Qualitative Data

5.2Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis

6Sports Psychology

6.1Skills

6.1.1Skills

6.1.2Skills 2

6.1.3Goals & Targets

6.1.4Skills HyperLearning

6.2Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing

6.2.2Guidance

6.2.3Guidance 2

6.2.4Feedback

6.2.5Mental Preparation

6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal

6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance

6.3Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression

6.3.2Motivation

6.3.3Personality Types

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology

6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

8.1Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness

8.1.2Types of Health

8.2Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle

8.2.2Obesity & Performance

8.2.3Somatotypes

8.3Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition

8.3.2Nutrition 2

8.3.3Hydration

8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness

8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

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