Benefits of training at moderate altitude versus sea level training in amateur runners.

After more than 25 years of research of altitude training (AT) there is no consensus regarding either the training programme at altitude or the effects of AT on performance at sea level. Based on a review of the research work on AT, we investigated combined base training and interval training at moderate altitude and compared immediate and delayed effects on sea level performance with those following similar sea level training (SLT). The altitude group (AG, 10 male amateur runners) trained at 2315 m (natural altitude) and the sea level group (SLG, 12 male amateur runners) at 187 m. Both groups performed 7 days of base training (running on a trail) lasting between 60 and 90 min a day and 5 days of interval training (speed and hill runs) for between 10 and 45 min a day. Incremental exercise tests were performed 1 week before (t1), 3 days after (t2) and 16 days after (t3) the 12-day main training period. Within AG, exercise performance improved from t1 to t2 by 8% (P < 0.05) and from t2 to t3 by 8% (P < 0.05). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) increased from t2 to t3 by 10% (P < 0.05). Within SLG exercise performance increased from t2 to t3 by 8% (P < 0.05). At t3, relative and absolute VO2max in AG were significantly higher in comparison with SLG (P = 0.005 and P = 0.046 respectively). The improved performance 3 days after AT may be explained in part by an increased oxygen uptake at submaximal exercise intensities without a change in VO2max. Further enhancement in performance 2 weeks after AT, however, seems to have been due to the clearly enhanced VO2max. Progressive cardiovascular adjustments might have contributed primarily to the time-dependent improvements observed after AT, possibly by an enhanced stroke volume overcompensating the reduced heart rates during submaximal exercise. In conclusion, our findings would suggest that training at a moderate natural altitude improves performance at sea level more than SLT. Combining base and interval training with regulation of intensity by training at constant heart rates during acclimatization at altitude would seem to be a successful training regimen for amateur runners. Most beneficial effects became apparent during the subsequent SLT around 2 weeks after return from altitude. Therefore, we are convinced that AT should be reconsidered as a potent tool for enhancing aerobic capacity, at least in non-elite athletes.

Training-overtraining: influence of a defined increase in training volume vs training intensity on performance, catecholamines and some metabolic parameters in experienced middle- and long-distance runners.

The influence of an increase in training volume (ITV; February 1989) vs intensity (ITI; February 1990) on performance, catecholamines, energy metabolism and serum lipids was examined in two studies on eight, and nine experienced middle- or long-distance runners; seven participated in both studies. During ITV, mean training volume was doubled from 85.9 km.week-1 (pretrial phase) to 174.6 km within 3 weeks. Some 96%-98% of the training was performed at 67 (SD 8)% of maximal performance. During ITI, speed-endurance, high-speed and interval runs increased within 3 weeks from 9 km.week-1 (pretrial phase) to 22.7 km.week-1 and the total training distance from 61.6 to 84.7 km.week-1. The ITV resulted in stagnation of running velocity at 4 mmol lactate concentration and a decrease in total running distance in the increment test. Heart rate, energy metabolic parameters, nocturnal urinary catecholamine excretion, low density, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations decreased significantly; the exercise-related catecholamine plasma concentrations increased at an identical exercise intensity. The ITI produced an improvement in running velocity at 4 mmol lactate concentration and in total running distance in the increment test; heart rate, energy metabolic parameters, nocturnal catecholamine excretion, and serum lipids remained nearly constant, and the exercise-related plasma catecholamine concentrations decreased at an identical exercise intensity. The ITV-related changes in metabolism and catecholamines may have indicated an exhaustion syndrome in the majority of the athletes examined but this hypothesis has to be proven by future experimental studies.

Treadmill ergometry and heart-volumes in elite biathletes: a longitudinal study.

In a retrospective study in elite biathletes we investigated to what extent spiroergometric data, determinations of the anaerobic threshold and measurements of heart volume were related to former training programs, respectively subsequent achievements in competition. Between 1980 and 1987 top athletes of international (team A) as well as of national class (team B) underwent maximal graded treadmill tests in the laboratory. Twice a year maximal oxygen uptake (ml/kg.bw/min), maximal treadmill velocity (km/h), oxygen uptake and treadmill velocity at the anaerobic threshold (defined at 4 mmol/l lactate) were measured during maximal exercise, and absolute and relative heart-volume (heart volume/kg.bw) were evaluated at rest. Evaluation of ergospirometric and heart volume data revealed some relationship to various forms and intensities of training. Observations of team A athletes showed that up to 1985 there was a fairly good relationship between ergospirometry findings and achievements in competition during the following season. For heart volume, however, no such relationship could be found. The skating method introduced in cross-country skiing in 1985 gave more importance to the running technique than to absolute endurance capacity. From this time on the predictive value of laboratory tests clearly diminished.

Exercise performance of hemodialysis patients during short-term and prolonged exposure to altitude.

The work capacity of patients on maintenance hemodialysis is impaired even at normal inspiratory oxygen pressure. A further restriction can be expected when these patients are exposed to hypoxia at altitude, since most of the usual compensatory mechanisms required to adjust to this environment are impaired or even missing. We tested the tolerance of hemodialysis patients to hypoxia and measured work capacity, hematological, and cardiovascular parameters at rest and during incremental bicycle ergometry during 3-hour exposure to altitudes of 2,000 m and 3,000 m, and during 2 weeks of exposure to an altitude of 2,000 m and compared these data with prealtitude values or with data evaluated in a control group, respectively. In control tests the patients reached work loads at exercise termination of about 66% of age and sex-matched healthy controls, the reduction correlated well with the degree of anemia. During short-term altitude exposure to 2,000 m peak work performance remained unchanged in comparison to prealtitude tests, whereas at 3,000 m it was reduced by about 12%. During the 2-week stay at 2,000 m peak work loads increased significantly by 17% accompanied by an increase in peak oxygen uptake (+15%), blood lactate, heart rates (+10 min-1), and systolic blood pressure (+20 mmHg), whereas the diastolic pressure was comparable to prealtitude values. In another group of hemodialysis patients studied at low altitude under similar experimental conditions none of these parameters was changed. Our data show that during acute exposure to altitudes up to 2,000 m maximal work of hemodialysis patients is not reduced, but is restricted at altitudes higher than that.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Anaphylactic shock following administration of an infusion solution containing fructose?]. / Anaphylaktischer Schock nach Verabreichung einer fruktosehaltigen Infusionslösung?

A sixty-seven year old female patient who received post-operatively an i.v. infusion of Sterofundin I, suffered an anaphylactic shock with cyanosis, dyspnoea and progressive hypotension. Over a period of 90 min there were ECG changes similar to acute posterior myocardial infarction and arrhythmias (total AV-block with high compensative rate). This could be due to circulatory shock but more probably to a transitory coronary spasm. Clinical signs and symptoms exclude a hereditary fructose intolerance because of case history and blood results as well as complications described in the literature due to low dosage of fructose. An intracutaneous test confirmed a hypersensitivity of fructose-containing i.v. infusion.

[Ergospirometry and blood lactate data in the assessment of conditioning of soldiers in relation to physical activity within the scope of military service in the Austrian army]. / Ergospirometrie- und Blutlaktatdaten zur Beurteilung der Konditionierung von Präsenzdienern in Abhängigkeit ihrer Tätigkeit im Rahmen des Wehrdienstes beim Osterreichischen Bundesheer.

21 soldiers completing their military service in the Austrian army were assessed before and at the finalizing of their basic military training, also to disarmament by spiroergometric and lactate tests according to their physical condition. Soldiers employed in fighting duties improved slightly in physical fitness at commencement of the basic training. By the time they reached disarmament there was significant improvement. The monitoring of administration personal significantly increased their physical fitness after the basic training, nevertheless the physical condition achieved before disarmament relapsed to the same standard as prior to military service. As a conclusion we suggest that the physical inactive group should be kept as small as possible and get an efficient training program in future.

[Principles and general practice of a goal-oriented training plan for diabetic patients participating in sports]. / Grundlagen und Praxis einer zielorientierten Trainingsplanung für den sporttreibenden Diabetiker.

Due to a well known experience physical work in patients with diabetes mellitus II is a very important part of the therapy beside diet and medicament treatment. To guarantee a high training efficiency an individual training regimen has to be worked out for the patient. To influence the impaired glucose metabolism the endurance exercise should be carried out at an intensity near the anaerobic threshold. Therefore it is necessary to have a stepwise incremental exercise test including lactate determination after each work load of the patient. Basing on exercise test this paper is designed to give an example of a training regimen in various sport activities (bicycle, running, ski cross country running, swimming) which enables the physician to handle his diabetic patient with an stepwise increasing training program to an optimal training intensity.

[The importance of sports medicine field tests as a means of training control in northern endurance sports]. / Die Bedeutung von sportmedizinischen Feldtests als trainingsbegleitende Massnahme im nordischen Ausdauersport).

In endurance sports heart frequency at the aerobic threshold (2 mmol/l lactate) is recommended for extensive training and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold (4 mmol/l lactate) for intensive training. Both values could be estimated by means of exercise tests in the laboratory as well as in the field. However for training-recommendations only data estimated on a specific exercise procedure should be used.

[Changes in the ECG caused by electrolyte changes in primary hyperparathyroidism]. / Ekg-Veränderungen durch Elektrolytverschiebung bei primärem Hyperparathyreoidismus

The development of cardiac arrhythmias in a case of primary hyperparathyreoidism is described. The arrythmias (sino-auricular block and ventricular ectopic beats) were observed preoperatively in the presence of a raised serum calcium. Postoperatively with a fall of serum calcium to subnormal values the arrhythmias ceased while serum magnesium was very low. The electrophysiological basis of these findings is discussed and the importance of serum calcium- and magnesium estimation in cases of unexplained arrhythmias is stressed.