environmental effects

acclimatisation

The effects a training system forces upon the body to compensate for the stresses of a new environment

Cardiovascular Drift

The increase in heart rate that occurs during prolonged endurance exercise with little or no change in workload.

Hyperthermia

Significantly raised core body temperature.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining core temerature

Hypoxia

A condition where respiring tissue is deprived of adequate O2.

Altitude Training

Training at high altitude for several weeks until acclimatisation occurs

Negatives of altitude training

1. aerobic performance deteriorates

2. reversibility

3. decreased VO2 max

4. early OBLA.

2 cardiovascular adaptations from altitude training

1. reduced blood plasma volume (decrease SV/Q, increase HR/RBC density)

2. Release EPO (increase RBC count)

1 respiratory adaptation from altitude training

1. increased BR (at rest/during exercise)

Hypothalamus

The region of the brain responsible for controlling body temperature.

2 cardiovascular adaptations of exercise in the heat

1. cardiovascular drift (decreased blood plasma volume = high HR needed to makeup up for decreased SV/Q/venous return)

2. increased blood pressure

1 respiratory adaptation for exercise in heat

increased mucus production due to dehydration (blocks airways) → increased BR, decreased vol of air in gas exchange

methods for acclimatising to altitude

higher you are, longer required to acclimatise (1000-2000m: 3-5 days, 2000-3000m: 1-2 weeks, 3000m+: over 2 weeks)

purpose - increase RBCs for increased VO2 max when returning to sea level

methods for heat acclimatisation

acclimatise 7-14 days before event

ice packs/wraps pre-event (reduce core body temp)

light breathable clothing, stay hyrdtated, pacing strategies during event

rehydrate, ice baths post-event