ALTITUDE TRAINING FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SEA-LEVEL PERFORMANCE - IS THERE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT

Altitude training invokes physiological changes that are very similar to those caused by endurance training. As a result, it has been incorp orated in the training regimes of elite athletes in an effort to impro ve sea level performance. Several training strategies, such as constan t altitude exposure, intermittent altitude exposure or 'live high trai n low', have been used in an effort to incur an advantage in sea level performance over just sea level training alone. In spite of the accum ulating scientific evidence that altitude training affords no advantag e over sea level training, many coaches and athletes believe that it c an enhance sea level performance for any athlete, whether endurance or power is the focus in their particular sport. However, altitude train ing may not be suitable for some athletes depending on their age, fitn ess level, health, iron status and the energy and technical requiremen ts of their sport. The issue of whether altitude training enhances sea level performance remains a controversial topic.