COMPETITIVE RUNNING AT HIGH ALTITUDE: IS IT SAFE?

Abstract

861 The ACSM and IOC discourage competitions to be held at high altitude because of supposed increased health hazard. These positions should perhaps be revised considering the results of our recent field observations. Since 1991 we screened 1,442 athletes participating in 36 competitions at altitudes between 2,000 and 5,200 m with race time between 34 min and 10 hrs. Prior to competing all athletes were seen by a physician and gave an informed consent. Those allowed to compete were healthy, altitude acclimatized, well-trained and without history of altitude-related health problems. During or after the races we did not see altitude diseases or any other major health problems. Sixteen athletes (1%) withdraw for minor trauma. Ventricular function after the races showed slight and transient modifications (P<.05) not seen at one-year follow-up. Blood analysis showed changes similar to those observed at low altitude: serum CK and LDH were increased (P<.01) after the race without changes in CK-MB; platelet counts were always in the physiological reference range; significant (P<.05) hormonal modifications (increased hGH, Cortisol, FT3 and gastrin and decreased IGF-I, Testosteron, free Testosteron, PGI, PGII and Leptin) after the races were transient since normal reference values were found within 24 hrs. Gastrointestinal symptoms were temporary and occurred with similar frequency as during sea level competitions. These data suggest that racing at altitudes up to 5,200 m leads to some physiological effects similar to those observed at low altitude. We conclude that competitive running at high altitude does not impose a substantial increase in health risk beyond that encountered at low altitude provided the participating athletes are well-trained, altitude acclimatized and medically controlled.