Altitude training for improving swimming performance at sea level

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of low altitude training on swimming performance with setting the same duration (3-wk) and the same level of altitude (2,300m). Eight male (Gmj) swimmers aged 13 to 19 years and four male (Gm2) and eight female (Gf2) swimmers aged 13 to 18 years sent to Mexico City, and they conducted swimming work outs. All of them were top Japanese swimmers of various events. They repeated the swimming training twice a day continuously for four days with one day rest. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) and hematocrit (Hct) were determined before, during and after the altitude training several times. The values of Hb, RBC and Hct of all three groups increased significantly from before training to after training except Hb in Gm2. On the other hand, these three variables did not necessarily increase during the altitude training. Gm2and Gf2tended to increase Hb and RBC during the training. As for swimming performance at sea level, the individual best swimming records were improved significantly in 200 m events, but not in 100 m events in Gmj. Therefore, it may be concluded that 3-wk altitude (2,300 m) training possibly improve swimming performance in the events equal to or longer than 200 m at sea level. © 1988, The Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine. All rights reserved.