Altitude training

• What is altitude?

  The measure of elevation above sea level
• What happens as altitude increases?

  Atmospheric pressure decreases
• What does training at altitude allow?

  It allows the body to become more efficient at absorbing oxygen
• What is it called when the body becomes more efficient at absorbing oxygen

  Acclimatisation
• What does a decrease in oxygen pressure cause?

  The body's chemoreceptors to become more responsive to an increase in CO2
• What is the result of the oxygen being less available at altitude?

  It results in lower than normal haemoglobin saturation levels in the blood
• What happens at 5000m above sea level?

  The oxygen saturation in the blood is approximately 70% compared to 98% at sea level
• What could happen if an athlete has not acclimatized to the lack of oxygen at altitude?

  It could seriously impair physical activity