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Study note

Preparation for Endurance Competitions at Altitude: Physiological, Psychological, Dietary and Coaching Aspects. A Narrative Review.

PMID 30425646 (2018): altitude, acclimatization — VO₂max, Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 30425646

Preparation for Endurance Competitions at Altitude: Physiological, Psychological, Dietary and Coaching Aspects. A Narrative Review.

Frontiers in physiology2018 • DOI 10.3389/fphys.2018.01504

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: narrative review.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

It was the Summer Olympic Games 1968 held in Mexico City (2,300 m) that required scientists and coaches to cope with the expected decline of performance in endurance athletes… (narrative review; athletes).

In this narrative review, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Time-trial performance. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: It was the Summer Olympic Games 1968 held in Mexico City (2,300 m) that required scientists and coaches to cope with the expected decline of performance in endurance athletes…
  • In this narrative review, the abstract is mixed or unclear for Time-trial performance.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 300 m.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: altitude, acclimatization.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 300 m.
  • Outcomes: VO₂max, Time-trial performance.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (athletes) working on altitude.
  • Athletes who can measure VO₂max, Time-trial performance with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: narrative review.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: VO₂max, Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 300 m.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 30425646 (2018) — Frontiers in physiology.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

From that period until now many different recommendations for altitude acclimatization in advance of an altitude competition were proposed, ranging from several hours to several weeks.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources