Altitude training effectiveness; Is there a role for sleep and menstrual health? – Femhealth

Altitude camp is a strategy in which athletes train in an environment where the air is less oxygen-rich, generally over 2,00 meters, in order to increase the body’s capacity to transport oxygen and improve performance. However, not all athletes react the same and several factors may explain these, such as sleep and menstrual cycle health. Sleep is a key for recovery and adaptation to training. Altitude can disrupt sleep which then limits adaptation. The menstrual cycle is an important indicator of overall health and hormonal balance in female athletes: irregular cycles or marked changes can signal that the body is under significant stress or lacking energy, and exposure to altitude can also influence this balance. It is therefore thought that menstrual cycle health and sleep may influence how an athlete responds to altitude training. Both together remain under-studied. The aim is to evaluate the impact of altitude training on sleep and menstrual cycle health, and to assess whether this possible impact plays a role in the effectiveness of altitude training with pro female cyclists. This will help develop practical individual recommendations to female athletes, so altitude training camps can be more effective while still protecting their health and well-being.

Faculty Supervisor:

Guido Simonelli

Student:

Partner:

Ecole Royale Militaire

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: