Live High-Train Low (LHTL), a contemporary form of altitude training, was proven best for long-distance (5000m) athletes. However, while athletes continue to use this training technique in an acute fashion (<2 weeks), no study has shown the effects of such a short-term use on aerobic performance. PURPOSE: To evaluate aerobic performance parameters, i.e., aerobic capacity (VO2Peak) and ventilatory threshold (VT), after 6 days of LHTL altitude training in collegiate cross-country runners. METHODS: Fourteen male NCAA cross-country runners (age: 19.07 +/- 0.92 y.o.) with initial VO2Peak of 73.13 +/- 5.65 ml/kg/min participated in the study. VO2Peak and VT were evaluated using a metabolic cart at sea-level, pre- and post-training. Runners from sea level traveled to high altitude where they lived at 1322m above sea-level for 6 days. Six training sessions were performed at altitudes ranging from 881.25 148.87m to 1047.70 237.29m above sea-level with training sessions averaging a duration of 75.25 7.04 mins, speed of 13.02 1.60 kmph and distance of 16.42 2.95 km. RESULTS: There was no significant effect on either absolute (p=0.325) or relative VO2Peak (p=0.643). A significant main effect of time was found for absolute VT (p<0.001), which changed from 3.35 +/- 0.52 L/min to 3.89 +/- 0.55 L/min, and VT relative to VO2Peak (p<0.001), which changed from 74.29 +/- 8.54% of VO2Peak to 87.57 +/- 3.48% of VO2Peak. Consequently, there was a significant main-effect of time for heart rate at VT (p=0.025), which changed from 168.50 +/-14.87 bpm to 176.07 +/- 11.02 bpm. CONCLUSION: Although there was no significant change in VO2Peak, short-term LHTL training had a positive effect on VT in trained cross-country runners. This is possibly due to the hemodilution resulting from return to sea level combined with the preserved ventilatory adaptations from altitude training.
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