Altitude & Seasonal Training
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 4.2.2
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.
Test yourself on Altitude & Seasonal Training
Altitude Training
Which word best describes the benefit of altitude training?
Performers in which event would benefit most from altitude training?
Seasonal Aspects
Which of these is the competitive training phase for a performer?