HISTORY OF ALTITUDE TRAINING

Following the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City the sporting world witnessed firsthand the benefits of altitude training, as the athletes that had incorporated altitude exposure into their training easily outperformed the competition. In the years since the 1968 Olympics athletes have been setting new marks in all racing events, whereas racing times in horses have not improved at all during that time. The improved performances in human sporting events has been attributed to improved training protocols and the incorporation of altitude exposure during training to optimize the aerobic fitness levels of the athletes. While the earliest reports studying the effects of altitude exposure on horses dates backs to the 1960's the true benefits of altitude training in racehorses did not become apparent until 1971 when an unlikely contender , Canonero II, won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness after being prepped at altitude in Venezuela in the weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby. More recently, the effect of altitude training on sea level performance in sport horses has received substantial attention in response to the demonstrated benefits of altitude training in elite athletes. Through the use of the latest altitude simulation technology as a training aid, trainers are realizing increases in aerobic power and endurance that reflect the horse's true genetic potential. This increased stamina and performance translates into:

• more efficient training
• faster and more complete recovery from high intensity workouts
• lower incidence of training induced stress/fatigue injuries
• reduced incidence of exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up)

In an effort to improve athletic performance in sport horses the use of banned substances has surged. Beyond the fact that the use of these substances is illegal, many of these substances are potentially harmful to the horses that receive them. In stark contrast to illegal drug use, the use of altitude simulation as a training aid relies on nothing more than the horse's adaptive physiological mechanisms, so there are no harmful side effects or concerns about illegal drug use.

• History Of Altitude Training
• Approaches To Altitude Training
• Benefits Of High-Low
• Safety