The Effects of Mid-Level Altitude on the Anaerobic Power Output Of Athletes

Abstract

PURPOSE: Avast amount of research has demonstrated the hindering effects of altitude, and the hypoxic conditions it presents, on cardiovascular endurance performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relatively unknown field of how such conditions affect anaerobic fatigue, average anaerobic power (M-AnP) and maximal anaerobic power (Wmax). METHODS: 15 highly trained NCAA collegiate athletes, 8 males and 7 females, performed a testing protocol that included vertical jump, repeated hang cleans, and Wingate anaerobic cycling. Each subject participated in the testing at both sea level and altitude (2835 meters), thus acting as their own control. RESULTS: Results from the study suggest that there is no difference between vertical jump performance at sea level and at altitude. The Wingate cycle test also indicates that hypoxic conditions are not a major factor in anaerobic performance. The performers peak anaerobic power (Pk-AnP), fatigue index, and total work showed no significant differences. However, a greater drop off between PkAnP and power output at the 5-second interval was noted during the altitude performances. Hang clean performances produced mixed results, and clear differences were present between the results of male and female performers. Male subjects showed a slight increase in power output when tested at altitude, whereas altitude had no affect on the performance of the female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Although the difference noted in the early stages of the Wingate anaerobic cycling test falls just outside the range of statistical significance (S>0.05), this could point to a somewhat impaired ability to maintain a high power output in hypoxic conditions, possibly caused by a delay in the initial activation and replenishment of the ATP-PC energy system. Although not definitive, hang clean results also suggest that altitude could influence Wmax and levels of columnar power production. The results of this study are handicapped to some extent by the limited size of the subject pool, possibly explaining the lack of statistical significance found in some of the areas described. Therefore more research is required to confirm and supplement these findings.