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Triathlon Medicine pp 329–343Cite as

Altitude Training and Endurance Performance

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Abstract

Many endurance athletes use altitude training to improve their physical performance. In this chapter, we briefly present the main altitude training methods and we evaluate from the existing scientific data their potential effectiveness on endurance performance at sea level. Live high—train high (LHTH) at natural altitude has not been demonstrated to improve endurance performance, which contrasts with the method’s popularity, including among elite triathletes. Live high—train low (LHTL) at natural or simulated altitude has been quite extensively studied. However, this approach remains a controversial topic and robust evidence that LHTL increases endurance performance in athletes is lacking. Finally, evidence indicate that live low—train high (LLTH), generally implemented at simulated altitude, has no positive effect on endurance performance and may therefore not be recommended for triathletes. While recognizing the scientific controversies that exist regarding the effectiveness of altitude training on endurance performance, this review also provides practical recommendations to triathletes wishing to prepare at altitude.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Benjamin Maze (National Technical Director of the French Triathlon Federation) for his expert advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole Nationale des Sports de Montagne, Site de l’Ecole Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme, Chamonix, France

    Paul Robach

  2. Center for Physical Activity Research, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Carsten Lundby

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  1. Paul Robach
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  2. Carsten Lundby
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Correspondence to Paul Robach .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Triathlon Union ITU, Medical Committee Maison du Sport International, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Sergio Migliorini

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Robach, P., Lundby, C. (2020). Altitude Training and Endurance Performance. In: Migliorini, S. (eds) Triathlon Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22357-1_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22357-1_20

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