| FitTip: Give Yourself Time to Adjust to High Altitudes |
|
|
| Written by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
|
Why even elite runners’ endurance can vanish into thin air. If there's one great equalizer in the fitness world, it's altitude. Whether you're a recreational runner or a world-class ultramarathoner, you share the same chances of acclimatizing (or not) once you head higher than 5,000 feet. Many people mistakenly believe that as long as they're in good cardiovascular condition, they're prepared for any athletic pursuit under any conditions, but that's not true when it comes to exercising at high altitudes.The reason is that the higher you go, the fewer oxygen molecules are available for your body to use, making breathing more difficult. Many studies have revealed that endurance-trained athletes have no advantage over less-conditioned athletes when it comes to how their bodies perform at altitude. So even if you're accustomed to running a six-minute mile at sea level, you might find yourself short of breath and fatigued after a moderate jog on a mountain trail. To make the most of your visits to high-altitude destinations, ascend slowly and allow your body time to adjust to the new conditions. |
|
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 July 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
