Effects of Sub-Altitude Training on the Physiological Functions of the Elite Female Weightlifters

Objective:Sub-altitude training has been increasingly applied in strength sports.However,little is known about the effect of sub-altitude training in elite Chinese female weightlifters.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sub-altitude training on the oxygencarrying capacity,endocrine responses and immune functions in elite Chinese female weightlifters.Methods:Haemotological parameters(red blood cell count,hemoglobin,hematocrit,mean corpuscular hemoglobin,mean corpuscular volume,write blood cell count,lymphocyte percentage,neutrophil percentage),serum testosterone and cortisol levels,serum creatine kinase activity,and serum urea nitrogen level were tested in 21 elite Chinese female weightlifters from seven categories in Beijing(31mabove sea level),Shiguan in Anhui(847mabove sea level,35days).Results:Sub-altitude training is beneficial for the weightlifters to enhance the red blood cell number,hemoglobin and hematocrit.In addition,the serum testosterone level was elevated.Although we didn't observed an obvious alteration in the white blood cell number,neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages,there were individuals who caught a cold during the sub-altitude training.Conclusion:Sub-altitude training showed a positive effect on the improvement of the oxygen-carrying capacity and anabolism of the elite Chinese female weightlifters.Monitoring of the training load and immune functions will be helpful to the athletes to achieve better training results.