Exercise at Altitude

Stress of Altitude Oxygen loading Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve Mexico City Mt Everest

Acclimatization Is the adaptive responses in

physiology and metabolism that improves tolerance to altitude hypoxia

Immediate and long term adjustments 2 weeks for 2300 m Additional week for each 610 m

Immediate-Pulmonary

Hyperventilation Body fluids become more alkaline

due to reduction in CO2

Immediate-Cardiovascular

Increase in submax HR Increase in submax CO SV same or lower Max CO remains the same or lower

Long Term-Pulmonary

Hyperventilation Excretion of base via

Kidneys Reduction of alkaline

reserve

Long Term-Cardiovascular

Submax HR elevated Submax CO falls SV lowers Max CO lowers

Long Term-Hematological

Decrease plasma volume Increase hematocrit Increase hemoglobin

concentration Increase number of RBC Increased capillarization

Long Term-Local

Increased RBC 2,3-DPG Increased Mitochondria Increased aerobic enzymes Loss of body weight Loss of lean body mass

Medical Problems

Acute Mountain Sickness High-Altitude Pulmonary

Edema High-Altitude Cerebral

Edema

Exercise Capacity Aerobic Capacity is reduced 1.5-

3.5% for every 305 meter increase above 1524 meters

Aerobic Capacity remains reduced even several months after acclimatization

Altitude Training and Sea level Performance VO2 max on return to sea level No improvement Reduction in Max CO offsets blood’s

greater O2 carrying capacity Can not train at same intensity of

VO2 max No difference between AT vs. Sea

Level