Artículos de revistas
The impact of altitude on the sleep of young elite soccer players (ISA3600)
Fecha
2013-01-28Institución
Resumen
ABSTRACT
Background Altitude training is used by elite athletes
to improve sports performance, but it may also disrupt
sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the effects
of 2 weeks at high altitude on the sleep of young elite
athletes.
Methods Participants (n=10) were members of the
Australian under-17 soccer team on an 18-day (19-
night) training camp in Bolivia, with six nights at near
sea level in Santa Cruz (430 m) and 13 nights at high
altitude in La Paz (3600 m). Sleep was monitored using
polysomnography during a baseline night at 430 m and
three nights at 3600 m (immediately after ascent,
1 week after ascent and 2 weeks after ascent). Data
were analysed using effect size statistics.
Results All results are reported as comparisons with
baseline. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was likely
lower immediately upon ascent to altitude, possibly
lower after 1 week and similar after 2 weeks. On all
three nights at altitude, hypopneas and desaturations
were almost certainly higher; oxygen saturation was
almost certainly lower; and central apnoeas, respiratory
arousals and periodic breathing were very likely higher.
The effects on REM sleep were common to all but one
participant, but the effects on breathing were specific to
only half the participants.
Conclusions The immediate effects of terrestrial
altitude of 3600 m are to reduce the amount of REM
sleep obtained by young elite athletes, and to cause
50% of them to have impaired breathing during sleep.
REM sleep returns to normal after 2 weeks at altitude,
but impaired breathing does not improve.