A Study on the Effect of High-Altitude Training in Interski Athletes (Focus on Functional Performance, V?O2max and Blood Variables) Myungchul Kim

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

A Study on the Effect of High-Altitude Training in Interski Athletes (Focus on Functional Performance, V̇O2max and Blood Variables) Kim, Myung Chul Department of Sport Medicine Graduate School, Catholic Kwandong University Supervisor: Professor Rhi, Soung Yob The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an eight-week high-altitude training program on functional performance, maximal oxygen uptake, and blood variables in Interski athletes. This doctoral dissertation investigated the physiological and functional adaptations induced by high-altitude exposure, focusing specifically on isokinetic strength, flexibility, and balance, maximal oxygen uptake and muscle damage biomarkers. Twenty male Interski athletes voluntarily participated in the study and were assigned to either the high-altitude training group (HATG, n = 10) or the control group (CG, n = 10). The HATG completed a structured training program for 110 min per day, seven days per week, for eight consecutive weeks at a high-altitude location in New Zealand, whereas the CG maintained their usual daily routines without additional structured training. The measurement variables included isokinetic knee strength (extension/flexion, 60°/s), flexibility, balance, V̇O2max, and blood indices of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). All variables were assessed before and after the intervention and a two-way repeated- measures ANOVA within the time factor was used to analyze the group, time and interaction effects. The findings revealed that: 1) all components of functional performance improved significantly in the HATG compared with the CG; 2) V̇O2max demonstrated a significant increase only in the HATG confirming the positive influence of hypoxic exposure on aerobic capacity; and 3) blood markers CK and LDH showed significant elevations in the HATG relative to the CG indicating transient exercise-induced muscle stress associated with high-altitude training. Notably, the increases in CK and LDH levels remained within the normal physiological limits commonly observed in trained athletes. Overall, the eight-week high-altitude training program effectively enhanced the athletes’ functional performance, including isokinetic strength, flexibility and balance and significantly improved their aerobic capacity. Transient elevations in CK and LDH appear to reflect acute physiological adaptation rather than pathological muscle damage. Collectively, these results suggest that high-altitude training constitutes a valuable and effective conditioning strategy for Interski athletes, supporting improvements in performance quality, technical precision, fatigue resistance during prolonged demonstration activities, and the integrated development of sport-specific physical capacities. Keywords: High-Altitude Training, Functional Performance, Maximal Oxygen Uptake, Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase

목차 (Table of Contents)

• CONTENTS
• Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION 1
• 1. Need for the Study 1
• 2. Purpose of the Study 6
• 3. Hypotheses of the Study 7
• 4. Definition of Terms 8
• 5. Limitations of the Study 11
• Ⅱ. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 12
• 1. Concept of High-Altitude Training 12
• 2. High-Altitude Training in Skiers 13
• 3. Isokinetic Exercise and Muscular Strength 16
• 4. Functional Performance and Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Skiers 18
• 5. Blood Markers of Muscle Damage 22
• Ⅲ. METHODS 24
• 1. Participants 24
• 2. Sample and Experimental Design 25
• 3. High-Altitude Training Program 27
• 4. Methods of Measurement 28
• 1) Body Composition 28
• 2) Isokinetic Muscle Strength 29
• 3) Flexibility 30
• 4) Balance 31
• 5) Maximal Oxygen Uptake 31
• 6) Blood Variables 32
• 5. Statistical Analysis 33
• Ⅳ. RESULTS 34
• 1. Changes in Functional Performance 34
• 1) Changes in Isokinetic Muscle Strength 34
• 2) Changes in Flexibility 37
• 3) Changes in Balance 38
• 2. Changes in Maximal Oxygen Uptake 39
• 3. Changes in Blood Variables 40
• Ⅴ. DISCUSSION 42
• 1. Changes in Functional Performance 42
• 2. Changes in Maximal Oxygen Uptake 46
• 3. Changes in Blood Variables 48
• Ⅵ. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 51
• REFERENCES 55
• 국문초록69