High‐altitude training does not increase maximal oxygen uptake or work capacity at sea level in rowers

Abstract

Maximal oxygen uptake (V_o2max was evaluated after high‐altitude training in rowers. Nine rowers trained in a camp at 1822 m for 3 weeks with no change in Vo_2max or 6‐min work capacity on a rowing ergometer at sea level. In contrast, 9 control rowers training at sea level increased Vo_2max by 4 (0‐8)% and work capacity by 3 (0‐11)% (median and range). In rowers emphasizing endurance training during a summer of competitive rowing (n=9), Vo_2max and work capacity increased by 6 (0‐13)% and 3 (‐1‐6)%, respectively and no significant changes were noted in rowers performing interval training (n= 9). Exhaustive rowing on an ergometer was characterized by elevated plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline (n=13) and lactate (n=14) (to 19 (11‐31), 74 (50‐109) nmol l¹ and 15 (11‐22) mmol‐I¹, respectively). In heavyweight rowers (n=11), blood volume was 7.0 (5.9‐8.3) litres, left ventricular wall thickness 13 (11‐15) mm and end‐diastolic diameter 57 (54‐66) mm (n=11). This study demonstrated an elevated blood volume in rowers as well as myocardial hypertrophy and large internal heart diameters. In well‐trained rowers, endurance training is superior to interval training for elevating Vo_2max and work capacity, but high‐altitude training does not contribute to increasing Vo_2max or work capacity at sea level.