Abstract
Purpose: The aims of this study were to analyze the physical functions of swimmers and the effects of altitude training through the blood physiological and biochemical tests during the altitude training and comparing individual lactate threshold testing before and after the altitude training, respectively. Methods: Eight elite swimmers took a 26-day altitude training session. The individual lactate threshold test was carried out by the Swedish Monak839E power cycle progressive loading method before and after the training. During the altitude training period, 5 ml of blood of the subjects’ elbow vein was extracted and tested on an empty stomach and in a quiet state every Monday morning. Results: There is no obvious difference in the hemoglobin between the plain and plateau when swimmers first reached. In the second week, the hemoglobin value showed a significant downward trend both in males and in females. The hemoglobin value in the third week has increased significantly and is higher than the level when swimmers first entered the plateau. During altitude training, the serum testosterone value of males and females showed different trends. Compared with the first week, the second and third weeks have a significant weekly upward trend. From the changes of creatine kinase in male swimmers, the highest value of creatine kinase was 731 U/L in the first week and fluctuated within the normal range in the following two weeks. The creatine kinase of female swimmers fluctuated within the normal range of three weeks. There is no obvious change in individual lactate threshold before and after altitude training for both male and female swimmers. Conclusions: The altitude training has generally improved the swimmers’ training ability, however, based on factors such as training years and gender, individualized training programs need to be targeted according to each swimmer’s situation, to achieve better performance.
Highlights
In recent years, the overall athletic performance of Chinese swimming events has been continuously increasing, especially in Zhejiang Province
The excellent swimming performance is inseparable from the accurate grasp of altitude training by senior coaches in the Zhejiang swim team over the years
Friedman et al (Friedmann et al 2005, Friedmann 2008) reported that in the absence of other time points for comparison, swimming performance improved by 2% after 10 days of classic altitude training
Summary
The overall athletic performance of Chinese swimming events has been continuously increasing, especially in Zhejiang Province. The excellent swimming performance is inseparable from the accurate grasp of altitude training by senior coaches in the Zhejiang swim team over the years. In order to induce favorable physiological adaptation to improve subsequent training and competition performance, mid-season altitude training has become a common practice in sports training (Gough et al 2012). Friedman et al (Friedmann et al 2005, Friedmann 2008) reported that in the absence of other time points for comparison, swimming performance improved by 2% after 10 days of classic altitude training. Despite limited recorded evidence on performance improvements from altitude training in elite swimmers, several leading swimming nations use this method for competition.
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