The effect of altitude on the anaerobic power of bolivian boys of high and low socio-economic status

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the anaerobic power of Bolivian boys of high and low socio-economic status living at high and low altitudes. The study consisted of 150 prepubertal boys (average age 11 years) living in La Paz (altitude 3600 m, n = 67) and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (altitude 500 m, n = 83), Bolivia. Among the boys studied at high altitude. 23 were from a high socio-economic background (HA1) and 44 from a low socio-economic background (HA2). The group studied at low altitude consisted of 35 boys from a high socio-economic background (BA 1) and 48 from a low socio-economic background (BA2). The maximal anaerobic power (P max) was determined by a force-velocity test and the mean anaerobic power (P 30s) was determined by a Wingate test. The tests were realised at high and low altitude on a Brue bicycle ergometer. At both high and low altitude, P max and P 30s ...