4.2.2

Altitude & Seasonal Training

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1

The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton1.1.4Joints1.1.5Joints 21.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System1.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Contractions
1.2

The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3

Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration1.3.2Recovering After Exercise1.3.3Treatments for Recovery1.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aerobic vs Anaerobic
1.4

Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise
2

Movement Analysis

2.1

Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems2.1.2Mechanical Advantage2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 22.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Lever Systems
2.2

Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement2.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Planes vs Axes
3

Physical Training

3.1

Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness
3.2

The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4

The Principles of Training

4.1

Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training4.1.4Weight & Interval Training4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Training
4.2

Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training4.2.3Warming Up4.2.4Cooling Down4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness
5

Using Data

5.1

Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data5.1.2Qualitative Data
5.2

Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis
6

Sports Psychology

6.1

Skills

6.1.1Skills6.1.2Skills 26.1.3Goals & Targets6.1.4Skills HyperLearning
6.2

Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing6.2.2Guidance6.2.3Guidance 26.2.4Feedback6.2.5Mental Preparation6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance
6.3

Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression6.3.2Motivation6.3.3Personality Types6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation6.3.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aggression
7

Socio-cultural Influences

7.1

Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups

7.1.1Engagement - Gender7.1.2Engagement - Ethnicity7.1.3Engagement - Age & Family7.1.4Engagement - Disability
7.2

Commercialisation

7.2.1Media7.2.2Commercialisation7.2.3Commercialisation 27.2.4Sponsorship7.2.5Arguments for Sponsorship7.2.6Impact of Sponsorship7.2.7End of Topic Test - Engagement & Commercialisation7.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Commercialisation & Conduct
7.3

Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues

7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8

Health & Fitness

8.1

Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness8.1.2Types of Health
8.2

Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle8.2.2Obesity & Performance8.2.3Somatotypes8.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Somatypes
8.3

Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition8.3.2Nutrition 28.3.3Hydration8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

Practice questions on Altitude & Seasonal Training

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  1. 1
    Altitude training:True / false
  2. 2
    Altitude TrainingPut in order
  3. 3
    Which word best describes the benefit of altitude training?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Performers in which event would benefit most from altitude training?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Seasonal AspectsPut in order
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Optimising Training

Warming Up