Ask The Experts
Does altitude affect my times?
Ivan Pentz: "What effect has altitude on one's performance on the ergometer? I am from Johannesburg (altitude approximately 6,000 feet above mean sea level) although I have been living in Cambridge (100 ft amsl) for the last two years. Theoretically, the air at altitude provides less resistance to the wheel at altitude. Paradoxically, however, there is significantly less air for oarsman to breathe. I have noticed that maintaining a rate of 20 strokes/min and a pace of 1:50min/500m at altitude for example, results in a heart rate of approximately 10 bpm higher than at sea level. I suspect there might be an altitude where the combination of decreased air resistance and athletic performance are at an optimum. Would you have any definitive data in this regard."
Terry O'Neill : You raise an interesting point, but I don't have any precise data with respect to the Indoor Rower. What I do know, is that within the top ten best cycling performances, 3 of them were done in Mexico at an altitude of 7,670 feet. At this altitude the air density is 20% less than at sea level, and even though an athlete's VO2 max is reduced at altitude, the reduced air pressure would give a net advantage of 1.7 kph to the speed of the bike with respect to sea level. The main source of drag on a bycicle is created by the cyclist's body moving through the air. These times were set in the 70's+80's before the new aerodynamic cycling position established by the current holder Chris Boardman and new technology in bike construction, so are pretty impressive.
Americans hoping to get funding for the CRASH-B indoor rowing championships have to achieve a standard time, and those doing it in Denver, which has an altitude of 5,180 feet, have a qualifying time about 15 seconds easier than for those at sea level.
Because the resistance to the flywheel is also air, it would be reasonable to assume that, at altitude, the flywheel would have a greater acceleration, higher velocity and reduced decceleration for the same applied power at sea level. The problem would be whether at a reduced VO2 max you could sustain the same power output for 2,000m. Obviously the organisers of CRASH-B think not. So, why should cycling flat out for 1 hour at altitude give the athlete an advantage whereas rowing at altitude for aroung 6 minutes would have a negative effect on the athlete's performance?
I would suggest it is all about the anaerobic contribution to the task. When rowing flat out for 2,000m, the contribution of the anaerobic energy supply would be between 25-30%. When you are cycling for an hour, although you would finish exhausted having used all your anaerobic energy as had the rower, because you were burning it at a lower rate 3-5%, this would be sustainable.
At altitude there is no advantage to the athlete but there may be certain advantages in the task. The Beaman leap in the Mexico Olympics in 1968 was phenomenal and one of the longest standing records of all time.
It may be that at a certain altitude you may be able to better your score but it wouldn't be as high as Johanasberg. I would think it unlikely but don't let me put you off.
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