Abstract
BackgroundAltitude training is a common practice among middle-distance and marathon runners. During acclimatization, sympathetic drive may increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), therefore implementation of targeted nutritional interventions based on training demands and environmental conditions becomes paramount. This single case study represents the first nutritional intervention performed under hypobaric hypoxic conditions (3900 m) in Paralympic sport. These results may elucidate the unique nutritional requirements of upper body endurance athletes training at altitude.Case presentationThis case study examined the effects of a nutritional intervention on the body mass of a 36-year-old professional wheelchair athlete (silver medalist at the Paralympic Games and 106 victories in assorted road events) during a five-week altitude training camp, divided into pre-altitude at sea level (BN), acclimatization to altitude (Puno, 3860 m) (BH), specific training (W1,2,3,4) and return to sea level (Post) phases. Energy intake (kcal) and body mass (kg) were recorded daily. Results demonstrated significant decrease in body mass between BN and BH (52.6 ± 0.4 vs 50.7 ± 0.5 kg, P < 0.001) which returned to pre-altitude values, upon returning to sea level at Post (52.1 ± 0.5 kg). A greater daily intake was observed during BH (2899 ± 670 kcal) and W1,2,3 (3037 ± 490; 3116 ± 170; 3101 ± 385 kcal) compared to BN (2397 ± 242 kcal, P < 0.01) and Post (2411 ± 137 kcal, P < 0.01). No differences were reported between W4 (2786 ± 375 kcal), BN and Post. The amount of carbohydrates ingested (g · kg− 1) was greater in W1,2,3, (9.6 ± 2.1; 9.9 ± 1.2; 9.6 ± 1.2) than in BN (7.1 ± 1.2) and Post (6.3 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) for all variables relative to BN (all time points) exceed a large effect (d > 0.80).ConclusionsThese results suggest an elite wheelchair marathoner training at 3860 m required increased nutrient requirements as well as the systematic control needed to re-adapt a nutritional program. Moreover, our findings highlight training and nutritional prescription optimization of elite wheelchair athletes, under challenging environmental conditions.
Highlights
Altitude training is a common practice among middle-distance and marathon runners
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a nutritional intervention on the body mass of an elite wheelchair marathoner during a five-week training camp performed between sea level and 3900 m altitude
Main meals were designed according to the type of training session performed (Fig. 2), as we have recently reported that during specific training weeks (W1,2,3,4) number of A,B,C, sessions differed between specific training weeks, according to a training program based in heart rate variability (HRV) [11], which explains why at W2 the greatest amount of CHO was ingested (9.9 ± 1.2 g · kg− 1 body mass), and why during Altitude acclimatization (BH) and W4 the total amount of CHO tended to be lower than W1,2,3 ( Table 2)
Summary
Sympathetic drive may increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), implementation of targeted nutritional interventions based on training demands and environmental conditions becomes paramount. This single case study represents the first nutritional intervention performed under hypobaric hypoxic conditions (3900 m) in Paralympic sport. These results may elucidate the unique nutritional requirements of upper body endurance athletes training at altitude. During acute phase exposure, total exogenous glucose oxidation appears to be lower than at sea level, and after 21 days of initial exposure at 4300 m not reaching sea level, suggesting oxidation rates under hypoxic conditions do not cover the energy demands of athletes at altitude [9]. Other studies suggest individuals have an increased dependence on glucose as a fuel source at high altitude, especially during exercise [3, 7, 8]
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