Correct option is B
The "Live High, Train Low" strategy involves living at high altitudes to benefit from the physiological adaptations to hypoxia (e.g., increased red blood cell production), while training at lower altitudes to maintain higher training intensities.
Key Benefits: 1. Living at High Altitudes:
· Stimulates erythropoietin (EPO) production, increasing red blood cell count and oxygen-carrying capacity.
· Enhances aerobic endurance over time.
2. Training at Low Altitudes:
· Allows athletes to train at higher intensities, which might not be possible in a low-oxygen environment.
· Preserves speed, power, and technical aspects of training.
Explanation of Other Options: · (a) Living and training at high altitudes:
· Training at high altitudes can reduce intensity due to lower oxygen availability, limiting performance improvement.
· (c) Living at sea level and training at high altitudes:
· This does not optimize erythropoietin production, as adaptations require consistent exposure to high altitudes.
· (d) Living and training at sea level:
· Does not incorporate altitude-based physiological benefits.
Correct Answer:
(b) Living at high altitudes but training at lower altitudes
Information Booster 1. Optimal Altitude Range:
· Living High: 2,000–2,500 meters above sea level.
· Training Low: Below 1,500 meters to maintain performance intensity.
2. Drawbacks of High-Altitude Training Alone:
· Decreased training intensity and potential muscle loss.
· Risk of altitude sickness.
3. Applications in Endurance Sports:
· Widely used by runners, cyclists, and cross-country skiers to improve aerobic performance.