why would you worry about athletes who have competed at a high level all of their lives? This sounds like a conversation that would happen at AARP meeting on a coffee break.
Short bench + elevation = worries?
- Thread starter 88clone
- Start date
The issue with elevation in Denver is not altitude sickness. The oxygen density is only 83% of what it is compared to sea level. This has a real effect on how much someone has to breathe to get the same amount of oxygen saturation in their blood.
The other real issue was already mentioned: loss of water/need for proper hydration.
Does doesn't it only take a day to get use to it though? I thought your body creates more red blood cells to carry more oxygen since you aren't breathing as much in.
We absolutely blow in Colorado. Until I see us play a decent game in that state, I'm going to expect a struggle.
Guess Texas , Kansas and Oklahoma are elevated too then. ISU barely played well at all on the road when Colorado was still in the conference. Show up two days early and drink some water. They will be fine.
The real issue with this thread is that this is a Bobby McFerrin song - not Bob Marley.
[video]https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU[/video]
At 5,193 ft elevation, the hemoglobin saturation is around 97%-99% assuming no increase in breathing rate or no increase in breathing volume. With a slightly increased breathing rate and breathing volume, the hemoglobin saturation is 100% or in other words, no effect. http://www.altitude.org/oxygen_levels.php
It is true that the oxygen density is 83% of that at sea level at 5,193 ft, however we do not train at sea level. We train and play a majority of our games at 900 ft above sea level in Ames. At 900 ft above sea level the oxygen density is 97% of that at sea level. So we are acclimated to a slightly lower oxygen density level to begin with.
We play at Lubbock, TX (Texas Tech) at altitude of 3,231 ft above sea level and the oxygen density there is only 89% of that at sea level. That has never been a concern when we play in Lubbock. The body adjusts to a lower level of oxygen density quite quickly at elevations below 8,000 ft above sea level. Breathing rate might be increased slightly and red blood cells might increase somewhat to compensate for the lower oxygen density.
As a side note, if we were to have a significantly reduced level of performance at 5,193 ft (Pepsi Center, Denver) or Lubbock (3,231 ft) then we should have an increased level of performance at altitudes less than 900 ft (Ames). Thus, we would have a significant increase in performance at 669 ft (Ft. Worth, TX), at 397 ft (Waco, TX), or 523 ft (Austin, TX). The higher levels of oxygen density at those locations hasn't helped us in our performance level against teams from those locations.
In conclusion, I would say that performance at elevations below 8,000 ft would not be effected. A person could acclimate for a day or so if they were concerned about it.
This is a pretty good source: http://runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/high-altitude-training-running-performance/
I live in Denver and just about every single endurance competition performed in the area shows decreased endurance for those who haven't acclimated for more than a few days. Last year after regular people ran the Bolder Boulder, the professionals ran. The announcer there made sure we all knew in advance that no records were going to be set because it wasn't cold enough to get the oxygen density high enough to perform at the highest level.
At 8,000 ft, our players would likely be SEVERELY affected by the altitude.
The other important thing that has already been mentioned: all teams will be on equal playing ground.
It's mostly a non-issue for our basketball team, but your approach to proving this is incorrect.
From Blum on Twitter:
Last time Iowa State played in elevation, they beat BYU 90-88 in a crazy intense game. Cyclones played pretty much 7 dudes.
Georges Niang played 37 minutes, scored 19 points and had 8 assists in that BYU game at 5k feet elevation. He was fat then.
I think this team is too hungry to not win this game
Last time Iowa State played in elevation, they beat BYU 90-88 in a crazy intense game. Cyclones played pretty much 7 dudes.
Georges Niang played 37 minutes, scored 19 points and had 8 assists in that BYU game at 5k feet elevation. He was fat then.
I think this team is too hungry to not win this game
Utah should have an advantage. They play Fresno State on Thursday night. That's not really our problem though.
I noticed the elevation change in my jogging ability for about two months after getting to Denver, but I doubt it's an issue for finely tuned athletes. As long as they don't have sickle cell.
I noticed the elevation change in my jogging ability for about two months after getting to Denver, but I doubt it's an issue for finely tuned athletes. As long as they don't have sickle cell.
The Gaels have been training for weeks in hypobaric chambers to simulate the thinner air. We are doomed.
