The Effect Of Altitude Training On Aerobic Capacity In Track Athletes: A Meta Analysis

PURPOSE: The effect of altitude training on the aerobic capacity in track endurance athletes were analyzed using a meta-analysis method to provide the guidance for coaches and athletes in their training practices. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for all relevant literature published since the establishment of PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Platform. Ultimately, 28 studies that met the criteria were selected for inclusion in the study, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess heterogeneity and the effect size of the included literature. RESULTS: Altitude training could significantly increase the hemoglobin concentration (Hb; MD = 0.36, 95%CI: [0.16, 0.56], p < 0.01) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max; SMD (which took the unit differences into the consideration) =0.78, 95%CI: [0.30, 1.26], p < 0.01) of track endurance athletes. Subgroup analysis showed that only the “living high-training low” (LHTH) altitude training significantly increased Hb (MD = 0.76, 95%CI: [0.37, 1.15], p < 0.01). Both LHTH and “living high-training low” (LHTL) altitude training modes significantly increased VO2max (SMD = 1.26, 95%CI: [0.64, 1.87], p < 0.01; SMD = 0.78, 95%CI: [0.23, 1.33], p < 0.01), while “living high-training high and low” (HiHiLo) and “intermittent hypoxic exposure” (IHE) did not. When altitude training with a hypoxic dose greater than 700 km·h, there was a significant improvement in aerobic capacity for track endurance athletes. CONCLUSIONS: With sufficient hypoxic dose, altitude/hypoxic training could significantly increase the Hb and VO2max of track endurance athletes. Different altitude training modes had their own advantages and limitations, coaches and athletes should make reasonable arrangements based on different sports evnents, training goals, athlete levels and actual conditions.