O T C M EDI A D AY – P HY S IO LO G Y
Ra n d y W ilber , U SO C Sr. S por t P h ys io l o g is t
L in ds a y H ym a n , U SO C S p ort Ph ys i o l og is t
Des ir e e L in d en (T rac k a n d F i e ld – Ma ra th o n )
About the Athlete Performance Zone and High-Altitude Training Center

The USOC employs three full-time sport physiologists who help athletes improve their training methods by
measuring cardio-respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal and environmental factors that contribute to athletic
performance.
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The Athlete Performance Zone allows USOC physiologists to work with Team USA athletes and coaches by
offering unique training opportunities such as the High Altitude Training Center, which allows athletes to train or
sleep at altitudes ranging from sea level to 24,000 feet. The HATC also has the capability of altering the ambient
air temperature (-5 to 100+ ˚F) and relative humidity (5-100 percent). With the HATC, Team USA athletes are able
to train using cutting-edge altitude training techniques (“Live High and Train Low,” Intermittent Hypoxic Training,
etc.), as well as being able to pre-acclimatize to hot/humid environments in which they will compete, such as in
Rio de Janeiro. The HATC is the only facility in the world that has all of these environmental capabilities for
altitude training and heat/humidity acclimatization.

Additionally, the APZ features the Alter-G treadmill, an “anti-gravity” treadmill that allows athletes to run at 20-100
percent of their total body weight. For example, an athlete coming off a knee injury/surgery might do a
conditioning run at 40 percent of their total body weight, thereby allowing them to run relatively pain-free and
regain their fitness level more rapidly versus using a standard treadmill. Another example of Alter-G use might be
a marathon runner or triathlete, who completes long-distance running workouts at 90 percent of their total body
weight so to help reduce the risk of stress fracture while simultaneously increasing their mileage and fitness level.
About the Demonstration

Randy Wilber explains the capabilities and benefits of the High Altitude Training Center, while Desiree Linden
(marathon) demonstrate training regimens at a simulated sea level: approximately 200 feet, 90 ˚F and 73 percent
relative humidity.

Linden demonstrates a heat/humidity assessment, which is designed to measure sweat rate/loss, sweat
composition (electrolytes), body core temperature (via an ingestible pill/thermometer), running mechanics and
heart rate. She will be running at race pace for 1 hour. Based on the results of this test, USOC physiologists and
nutritionists will provide her with practical recommendations on optimal fluid composition and intake, as well as
optimal pacing strategies for the 2016 Olympic marathon race on Aug. 14.
Q&A with Randy Wilber:
Q: What are the benefits of hypoxic training for elite athletes?
A: When the body is exposed to hypoxia (oxygen-reduced environments), it struggles to produce energy with less
available oxygen. This struggle triggers a range of physiological adaptations geared toward enhancing the efficiency of
the body's respiratory, cardiovascular and oxygen utilization systems. Generally, an optimal altitude for performance is
between 6,200-8,500 feet. However, athletes who live and train at high altitude (as in Colorado Springs) for prolonged
periods of time (3 or more months) often experience detraining at their peak power production. To counter this effect, the
USOC simulates specific training sessions in a sea-level environment to allow the athletes to reap the benefits of "Living
High and Training Low." These benefits include maximized speed and endurance, elevated power and strength and
overall wellness.
However, athletes have a time-limited advantage when training at a higher altitude and then competing at a lower altitude.
The goal of “Living High” is to allow the body to naturally increase the amount and size of red blood cells (i.e. the amount
of oxygen in the body). It takes approximately three weeks for new red blood cells to grow and mature, and the effects of
"Living High" will last roughly the life span of these red blood cells, which can range from 3-6 weeks.
Q: What impact can it have on the field of play?
A: The physiological benefits accrued by the athlete from altitude training will result in enhanced performance upon return
to sea level (Rio de Janeiro). For example, the increase in red blood cells will enhance the athlete’s maximal aerobic
capacity (VO2 max) and allow them to run, bike, swim and row faster at sea level, especially if they have done “Live High
and Train Low” altitude training. Because Rio de Janeiro will be a hotter and more-humid environment versus Colorado
Springs (and other altitude training areas), athletes need to do heat/humidity pre-acclimatization via layered clothing, etc,
during their altitude training block prior to competing in Rio this summer.
Q: What role does the USOC play in physiological training in the build up to and during the Games?
A: The USOC Sport Physiology staff provides the following performance-impacting services to Team USA athletes:
 Altitude training
 Heat/Humidity acclimatization
 Blood chemistry analysis
 Overtraining analysis and prevention
 International air travel (jet lag reduction)
 Optimal sleep for optimal recovery
 Exercise-induced asthma assessment and treatment
 Periodization of training
 Environmental training