| dc.description.abstract | Abstract.
Background: We describe here the 3-year process
underpinning a multinational collaboration to investigate
soccer played at high altitude—La Paz, Bolivia
(3600 m). There were two main aims: first, to quantify
the extent to which running performance would be
altered at 3600 m compared with near sea level; and
second, to characterise the time course of acclimatisation
of running performance and underlying physiology to
training and playing at 3600 m. In addition, this project
was able to measure the physiological changes and the
effect on running performance of altitude-adapted soccer
players from 3600 m playing at low altitude.
Methods A U20 Bolivian team (‘The Strongest’ from
La Paz, n=19) played a series of five games against a
U17 team from sea level in Australia (The Joeys, n=20).
2 games were played near sea level (Santa Cruz 430 m)
over 5 days and then three games were played in La Paz
over the next 12 days. Measures were (1) game and
training running performance—including global
positioning system (GPS) data on distance travelled and
velocity of movement; (2) blood—including haemoglobin
mass, blood volume, blood gases and acid–base status;
(3) acclimatisation—including resting heart rate
variability, perceived altitude sickness, as well as heart
rate and perceived exertion responses to a submaximal
running test; and (4) sleep patterns.
Conclusions Pivotal to the success of the project were
the strong professional networks of the collaborators,
with most exceeding 10 years, the links of several of the
researchers to soccer federations, as well as the interest
and support of the two head coaches. | es_ES |
