The Effects of Altitude Training on the Performance of Open Water Swimmers

Abstract

Background and Aim: Training in a low-pressure, low-oxygen environment at the plateau is a difficult challenge for athletes who live on the plains all year round. Athletes need to overcome the stimulation of hypoxia to complete training. This paper aims to explore the influence of altitude training on the special quality, technique, and tactics of open-water swimmers. Methods: The method of literature, experiment, and mathematical statistics is adopted, and the experimental method is the main method. (1) The experimental subjects were male athletes with many years of experience in open-water swimming training and competition. (2) Test variable: swimming pool 1500m freestyle speed, swimming pool 50m freestyle speed, open water speed per lap, stroke amplitude, allocation of swimming speed. Results: (1) There was a significant difference between 1500 m swimming speed and open water swimming speed in the experimental group before and after the experiment; (2) The experimental group had a significant difference in 50m swimming speed before and after the experiment, the control group had a significant difference in 50m swimming speed before and after the experiment, and the two groups had a significant difference in 50m swimming speed after the experiment; (3) There was no significant difference in the athletes' swimming speed allocation after the experiment; (4) The stroke amplitude of the experimental group was significantly different after the experiment, and the stroke amplitude of the control group was significantly different after the experiment. Conclusion: Altitude training can improve the athletes' aerobic exercise ability, improve the athletes' backward swimming speed, and improve the athletes' stroke frequency. However, it has some negative effects on the athletes' speed quality and stroke effect.