Ventilatory acclimatisation is beneficial for high-intensity exercise at altitude in elite cyclists.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ventilatory adaptation and performance during altitude training at 2700 m. Methods: Seven elite cyclists (age: 21.2 +/- 1.1 yr, body mass: 69.9 +/- 5.6 kg, height 176.3 +/- 4.9 cm) participated in this study. A hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) test and a submaximal exercise test were performed at sea level prior to the training camp and again after 15 d at altitude (ALT15). Ventilation (V-E), end-tidal carbon-dioxide partial pressure (PETCO2) and oxyhaemoglobin saturation via pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) were measured at rest and during submaximal cycling at 250 W. A hill climb (HC) performance test was conducted at sea level and after 14 d at altitude (ALT14) using a road of similar length (5.5-6 km) and gradient (4.8-5.3%). Power output was measured using SRM cranks. Average HC power at ALT14 was normalised to sea level power (HC%). Multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of performance at altitude. Results: At ALT15, there was a significant increase in resting V-E (10.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 12.2 +/- 2.4 L . min(-1)) and HVR (0.34 +/- 0.24 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.49 L . min(-1). %(-1)), while PETCO2 (38.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 32.1 +/- 3.3 mmHg) and SpO(2) (97.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 94.0 +/- 1.7%) were reduced (P < .05). Multiple regression revealed Delta HVR and exercise V-E at altitude as significant predictors of HC% (adjusted r(2) = 0.913; P = 0.003). Conclusions: Ventilatory acclimatisation occurred during a 2 wk altitude training camp in elite cyclists and a higher HVR was associated with better performance at altitude, relative to sea level. These results suggest that ventilatory acclimatisation is beneficial for cycling performance at altitude.