An observational study of sleep characteristics in elite endurance athletes during an altitude training camp at 1800 m

Maria Hrozanova,Rune Talsnes,Øyvind Karlsson,Kerry Mcgawley,Frode Moen

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2021.08.007

Abstract

ObjectivesTo observe changes in sleep from baseline and during an altitude training camp in elite endurance athletes. DesignProspective, observational. SettingBaseline monitoring at <500 m for 2 weeks and altitude monitoring at 1800 m for 17-22 days. ParticipantsThirty-three senior national-team endurance athletes (mean age 25.8 ± S.D. 2.8 years, 16 women). MeasurementsDaily measurements of sleep (using a microwave Doppler radar at baseline and altitude), oxygen saturation (SpO2), training load and subjective recovery (at altitude). ResultsAt altitude vs. baseline, sleep duration (P = .036) and light sleep (P < .001) decreased, while deep sleep (P < .001) and respiration rate (P = .020) increased. During the first altitude week vs. baseline, deep sleep increased (P = .001). During the first vs. the second and third altitude weeks, time in bed (P = .005), sleep duration (P = .001), and light sleep (P < .001) decreased. Generally, increased SpO2 was associated with increased deep sleep while increased training load was associated with increased respiration rate. ConclusionThis is the first study to document changes in sleep from near-sea-level baseline and during a training camp at 1800 m in elite endurance athletes. Ascending to altitude reduced total sleep time and light sleep, while deep sleep and respiration rate increased. SpO2 and training load at altitude were associated with these responses. This research informs our understanding of the changes in sleep occurring in elite endurance athletes attending training camps at competition altitudes.

Highlights

IntroductionAltitude training is a common strategy employed by elite endurance athletes to induce physiological adaptations, with a potential to improve subsequent performance at altitude and/or sea level.[1,2,3] elite endurance athletes commonly integrate training camps at low-to-moderate altitudes (eg, » 1400-2500 m) lasting 2À4 weeks into their annual training periodization.[2] The most extensively studied adaptive response linked to altitude training is the erythropoietin-driven increases in red blood cell volume and total hemoglobin mass.[2] there are conflicting views,[3,4] these hematological changes are considered to represent the main mechanism for improved endurance performance at sea level following periods of altitude training.[2]
Altitude training is a common strategy employed by elite endurance athletes to induce physiological adaptations, with a potential to improve subsequent performance at altitude and/or sea level.[1,2,3] elite endurance athletes commonly integrate training camps at low-to-moderate altitudes lasting 2À4 weeks into their annual training periodization.[2]
This is to our knowledge the first study to observe sleep changes in elite endurance athletes from near-sea-level baseline and during an entire » 3-week altitude training camp at 1800 m

Summary

Introduction

Altitude training is a common strategy employed by elite endurance athletes to induce physiological adaptations, with a potential to improve subsequent performance at altitude and/or sea level.[1,2,3] elite endurance athletes commonly integrate training camps at low-to-moderate altitudes (eg, » 1400-2500 m) lasting 2À4 weeks into their annual training periodization.[2] The most extensively studied adaptive response linked to altitude training is the erythropoietin-driven increases in red blood cell volume and total hemoglobin mass.[2] there are conflicting views,[3,4] these hematological changes are considered to represent the main mechanism for improved endurance performance at sea level following periods of altitude training.[2]. Living at altitude during a training camp may, have a detrimental effect on athletes’ sleep, recovery and subsequent adaptations

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