Living and training at high altitudes has been a huge secret to their success for many elite level athletes for years. Many have considered this their 'secret sauce', but now this secret is out and everyone knows how beneficial high altitude training can be. These athletes have been using this secret to improve their cardiovascular systems, endurance, general health, as well as their well-being. Previously this type of training has been able to be simulated through the use of high tech and extremely expensive chambers, tents, altitude hypothecators, and actually going to high altitude training camps and centers. In the past by keeping this secret hidden from their competition these elite level athletes have enjoyed the competitive advantage over their competition by giving them an edge in:
So, how and why does high altitude training benefit the athletes performance?
Performing at an elite level requires the athletes body to optimize the process known as 'oxygen metabolism'. Oxygen metabolism, is the process by which the living cells produce energy through the oxidation of organic substances. Numerous studies have shown that the bodies ability to process oxygen can be significantly enhanced by regular short term exposer to hypoxic air breathing or more commonly known as thin air. Since the body adjusts itself over a period of time (2 to 4 weeks) the athletes must stay and train at these high altitudes in order for their body to optimize their oxygen metabolism.
How can anyone take advantage of elevated training tactics?
For most athletes however traveling to a place like Big Bear for MMA competitive athletes to utilize the high altitude air is extremely expensive, time consuming, and down right inconvenient. Recently there has been breakthroughs in the technologies that produce this effect which has allowed this process to be simulated through the use of a 'training mask' which fits onto the athlete much like a gas mask. One such training mask can be seen being used by former UFC champion Sean Sherk in his training camps. These training masks have now broken down the door of high altitude training and allowed anyone who wants to use this type of training the ability to do so and that is great news for all the MMA fans.
- Increased lung capacity
- Increased anaerobic threshold
- Increase in mental acuity and physical stamina
- Sharpened mental focus
So, how and why does high altitude training benefit the athletes performance?
Performing at an elite level requires the athletes body to optimize the process known as 'oxygen metabolism'. Oxygen metabolism, is the process by which the living cells produce energy through the oxidation of organic substances. Numerous studies have shown that the bodies ability to process oxygen can be significantly enhanced by regular short term exposer to hypoxic air breathing or more commonly known as thin air. Since the body adjusts itself over a period of time (2 to 4 weeks) the athletes must stay and train at these high altitudes in order for their body to optimize their oxygen metabolism.
How can anyone take advantage of elevated training tactics?
For most athletes however traveling to a place like Big Bear for MMA competitive athletes to utilize the high altitude air is extremely expensive, time consuming, and down right inconvenient. Recently there has been breakthroughs in the technologies that produce this effect which has allowed this process to be simulated through the use of a 'training mask' which fits onto the athlete much like a gas mask. One such training mask can be seen being used by former UFC champion Sean Sherk in his training camps. These training masks have now broken down the door of high altitude training and allowed anyone who wants to use this type of training the ability to do so and that is great news for all the MMA fans.