What Is Altitude Training?
When you are doing everything else right and may have reached a performance plateau, altitude training will significantly improve your performance and move you to the next level.
Altitude Training is when you exercise in air with a lower oxygen availability than occurs naturally at sea level. You can achieve this by travelling to a location that is actually at altitude – where the air pressure (and therefore the amount of oxygen available to you when you breathe in) reduces progressively as you ascend. But you do not have to go to real altitude to undertake Altitude Training. Sporting Edge can turn any room or space into a Simulated Altitude Room where the oxygen availability can be set to replicate any altitude within the control range. This is done at normal pressure, with no air locks and without the need to ‘super seal’ the room. The sophisticated control system keeps you safe whilst at the same time providing precise control and really high air quality.
Why Use Altitude Training?
There are two main areas where Altitude Training can bring about real benefits:
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Improving Performance
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Retaining (or even improving) fitness when injured (Rehabilitation)
Altitude training is an incredible way to try and maximise your body’s capacity and efficiency. Either as a plateau buster, a training block to start a season firing on all cylinders or as an ongoing strategy to train smart and get the biggest bang for your buck, altitude training can fit into your plan and make a significant difference to your fitness and performance. It can also reduce significantly your time out through injury, maximising your time to compete at your full potential or achieve full 90 minute fitness.
Scientifically Proven
The performance areas scientifically proven to be improved by Altitude Training and supported by huge amounts of anecdotal evidence include:
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Improving Performance
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Retaining (Or Even Improving) Fitness When Injured (Rehabilitation)
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Sustained Higher Output Power
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Improved Anaerobic Capacity
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Beneficial Muscular Adaptations
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Pre-Acclimatisation Prior To Competing At Altitude
This example is illustrative of the improvements readily achievable by Altitude Training. Illustration taken from a paper by Puype et al, 2013, Med Sci Sport Ex.
System Features
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No dangerous Nitrogen is used when creating an altitude environment
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Altitude control accuracy to +/-0.1% Oxygen (+/- 40m altitude)
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Altitude ranges up to 5,750m in two password-protected ranges
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Touchscreen control with safety interlocks and on-screen trending
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Multi-timer functions for automatic system start
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Monitor and trend graphs of oxygen, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide at all times
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Energy recovery options available for heating water systems
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Bespoke design, manufacture, installation and ongoing support from Sporting Edge, the global leaders
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Warranty
Case Studies
Sporting Edge Ltd has provided altitude chambers to a variety of clients across the globe. Our success and professionalism are what sets us apart from others in our industry, and we are fiercely proud of our reputation as an international industry leader.
This reputation has been built on providing a first-class service to our clients throughout every stage of our relationship, and our cutting-edge technology and solutions reinforce it.
Please see the case studies below from a selection of our previous clients to see how we helped them take their training to the next level.
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Newcastle UniversityA full Environmental Chamber, including minus degrees Centigrade and an altitude of 8,750m, was required at Newcastle University. Sporting Edge Ltd began work with the University, Architect and main contractor to ensure seamless integration of the chamber, capable of withstanding temperatures of -25 to plus 45°C, into a brand-new multi-million-pound building. Along with the increased teaching element, there was a need for a much greater breadth of environmental conditions to support research work. The Chamber boasts the capability of: - Altitude: 0 – 8,750m Temperature: -25 to 45°C Humidity: 30 – 95% RH The chamber was the first of its kind in the UK, following a similar installation in Dubai. It utilised the patented ‘Performance Plenum’, which delivers the most uniform set of conditions, ensuring no dead space in the chamber. This is key when the consistency and replicability of the specifications are required repeatedly, particularly during research. All of this, along with a ‘fully extreme ready’ TV to display the conditions, gives Newcastle University the edge to flourish with an already impressive Biomedical Sciences School.
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University of SunderlandThe project at City Campus, Sunderland, was the refit of an existing building. The brief from the University was to supply an altitude chamber with Temperature and Humidity control, with the primary use intended to expand on the current teaching capabilities of the University with regard to environmental physiology. The Chamber boasts the capability of: - Altitude: 0 – 5,750m Temperature: 12 to 40°C Humidity: 30 – 80% RH On completion of the chamber, Sporting Edge’s Project Manager, George Byrne, commented on the collaborative work involved, stating, “Despite the challenges brought about by attempting to retrofit into an existing building, the installation here was made easier by all the stakeholders pulling together to overcome any of the usual issues, and the outstanding result is there for all to see.” The clean, fresh lines of this style of Environmental Chamber make it the perfect choice for anyone who does not require the ability to include freezing temperatures in their sphere of activity.
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AFC BournemouthBournemouth Football Club recently purchased an LT Altitude System from Sporting Edge Ltd. The equipment provides altitude air to a purpose-built room in the corner of the main training gym. The guys are all very excited to use the room to train. With the mountain scene wallpaper, this system really looks the part.
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EIS LoughboroughThe English Institute of Sport at Loughborough University have had an altitude area in their lab for many years. Loughborough University is one of the UK’s leading sports universities, the EIS system is one of the three Sporting Edge Ltd altitude facilities located in Loughborough University. The other two altitude features are in environmental chambers which feature outstanding control as well as laminar airflow and exceptional uniformity.
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Leeds Beckett UniversityThe dual, full environmental chambers here are capable of -30 to +50°C Temperature, 20 to 95% relative Humidity and altitude to a staggering 9,000m, all at the touch of a button, making this install the most impressive set of twin chambers in the whole of the World. A more comprehensive case study to follow.
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Motion LabTwin Sporting Edge Ltd chambers provide altitude only, and altitude plus controlled temperature and humidity are key parts of this leading facility for performance and rehabilitation in Lausanne.
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Swedish Olympic AssociationThe ‘Extended Ambient’ Sporting Edge Ltd chamber provides a wide range of training simulations for Swedish elite athletes.
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Football Performance Centre, Doha, QatarTwin chambers, each able to replicate a wide range of climatic conditions as well as altitude, provide a unique training environment in this prestigious location.
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Nad Al Sheba, DubaiArguably the world’s finest sports training centre with a huge variety of first-class training facilities, the twin Sporting Edge Ltd chambers provide the ultimate in both performance and size.
Contact Us Today at info@sportingedgeuk.com To Take Your Performance to New Levels.