Intensified Training Supersedes the Impact of Heat and/or Altitude for Increasing Performance in Elite Rugby Union Players

Purpose: To investigate whether including heat and altitude exposures during an elite team-sport training camp induces similar or greater performance benefits. Methods: The study assessed 56 elite male rugby players for maximal oxygen uptake, repeated-sprint cycling, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 (Yo-Yo) before and after a 2-week training camp, which included 5 endurance and 5 repeated-sprint cycling sessions in addition to daily rugby training. Playerswere separated into 4 groups: (1) control (all sessions in temperate conditions at sea level), (2) heat training (endurance sessions in the heat), (3) altitude (repeated-sprint sessions and sleeping in hypoxia), and (4) combined heat and altitude (endurance in the heat, repeated sprints, and sleeping in hypoxia). Results: Training increased maximal oxygen uptake (4%[10%], P =.017), maximal aerobic power (9%[8%], P <.001), and repeated-sprint peak (5%[10%], P =.004) and average power (12%[14%], P <.001) independent of training conditions. Yo-Yo distance increased (16% [17%], P <.001) but not in the altitude group (P =.562). Training in heat lowered core temperature and increased sweat rate during a heat-response test (P <.05). Conclusion: A 2-week intensified training camp improved maximal oxygen uptake, repeatedsprint ability, and aerobic performance in elite rugby players. Adding heat and/or altitude did not further enhance physical performance, and altitude appears to have been detrimental to improving Yo-Yo.

Automated summary

The study found that a 2-week elite team-sport training camp significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake, repeated-sprint ability, and aerobic performance in rugby players. However, adding heat and/or altitude training did not further enhance performance, and altitude training appeared to be detrimental to improving Yo-Yo performance.