Intensified training supersedes the impact of heat and/or altitude for increasing performance in elite rugby union players
Purpose:
To investigate whether including heat and altitude exposures during an elite team-sport training camp induces similar or greater performance benefits.
Methods:
The study assessed 56 elite male rugby players for maximal oxygen uptake, repeated-sprint cycling, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 (Yo-Yo) before and after a 2-week training camp, which included 5 endurance and 5 repeated-sprint cycling sessions in addition to daily rugby training. Players were separated into 4 groups: (1) control (all sessions in temperate conditions at sea level), (2) heat training (endurance sessions in the heat), (3) altitude (repeated-sprint sessions and sleeping in hypoxia), and (4) combined heat and altitude (endurance in the heat, repeated sprints, and sleeping in hypoxia).
Results:
Training increased maximal oxygen uptake (4% [10%], P = .017), maximal aerobic power (9% [8%], P < .001), and repeated-sprint peak (5% [10%], P = .004) and average power (12% [14%], P < .001) independent of training conditions. Yo-Yo distance increased (16% [17%], P < .001) but not in the altitude group (P = .562). Training in heat lowered core temperature and increased sweat rate during a heat-response test (P < .05).
Conclusion:
A 2-week intensified training camp improved maximal oxygen uptake, repeated-sprint ability, and aerobic performance in elite rugby players. Adding heat and/or altitude did not further enhance physical performance, and altitude appears to have been detrimental to improving Yo-Yo.
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Aiheet: | rugby huippu-urheilu lämpötila korkeanpaikan harjoittelu maksimi aerobinen happi suorituskyky |
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Aihealueet: | biologiset ja lääketieteelliset tieteet urheilukilpailut |
DOI: | 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0630 |
Julkaisussa: | International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance |
Julkaistu: |
2021
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Vuosikerta: | 16 |
Numero: | 10 |
Sivuja: | 1416-1423 |
Julkaisutyypit: | artikkeli info-grafiikkaa |
Kieli: | englanti (kieli) |
Taso: | kehittynyt |