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July 25, 2024 at 9:09 AM
July 25, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Hector Garibalyi, a Bolivian long-distance runner who will compete in the 2024 Olympic marathon, revealed that due to the adverse effects of jet lag, the diet and climate in the French capital at this time have been affected. , His preparation takes into account the physical aspect and adapting to local conditions.
“I went to Paris last year and my body didn’t adapt to the change in time and food, so we planned a round trip to avoid losing red blood cells,” Gharibhai said before leaving for Paris, France.
This Friday, the opening ceremony of the world’s most important sporting event will take place on the banks of the Seine. Garibai will be the flag bearer of the Bolivian delegation during the parade of the delegations. After the competition, the man from Oruro will return to the country to continue training and will be back in Paris a few days before the test on Saturday, August 10.
How much does altitude affect elite athletes?
Altitude can have a significant impact on elite athletes due to the increase or decrease in oxygen supply in the air.
Elite athletes who live and train in high-altitude cities like La Paz, El Alto, Oruro or Potosi face several challenges when competing at sea level. The main factors that affect their performance include adapting to increased oxygen supply, time zone changes and dietary changes.
La Paz is located at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, which is considered a very high area. This geographical feature creates special conditions for athletes, which are significantly different from lower altitudes or flat areas.
Patricio Gutiérrez, professor of medicine at the Franz Tamayo University Unifranz, is convinced that the atmosphere has a lot to do with these effects.
At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is 760 mmHg, while at an altitude of 3,500 meters, this pressure drops to 493 mmHg. This decrease in pressure means less oxygen is available for breathing, a phenomenon known as hypobaric hypoxia. Upon reaching such high altitudes (such as El Alto or La Paz), athletes from coastal areas experience a decrease in available oxygen, which can affect their initial physical performance.
For example, an athlete arriving in La Paz from the coast will initially experience an increased heart rate as the body compensates for the lack of oxygen. This extra effort may cause symptoms such as headaches, confusion, clumsiness, and shortness of breath.
“All those who suffer from hypoxia due to reaching a high altitude city experience these symptoms (…) and the body usually needs at least two days to adapt to these changes. On the third day, the performance of all athletes is similar (…)”, the doctor said.
To mitigate these effects, soccer teams playing at high altitudes typically choose two strategies: arriving less than six hours before a game to avoid acclimatization and thus negative effects, or arriving two days early to allow the body to adjust to the new altitude and achieve similar athletic performance on the third day.

People who regularly live and train at high altitudes produce a higher number of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. This is due to the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Therefore, athletes who train at altitude and then compete at sea level may have a significant advantage because their oxygen delivery capacity is greater, thereby improving their performance.
This practice is common among distance runners and long-distance athletes, who benefit greatly from high-altitude training before competing in events such as the Olympics. Experts from various countries have studied this phenomenon to help them train elite athletes.
“Red blood cells are the cells that transport oxygen in the blood, and because tissues have more oxygen available, they require more oxygen. This is especially evident in athletes such as long-distance runners and distance runners, who place greater demands on their muscles and cardiovascular system and obviously need more oxygen,” Gutiérrez said.
Climate, time zone and food considerations
Heat and dehydration are also key factors that can affect athletic performance. In hot, flat areas, it’s difficult for the body to dissipate heat through sweating, which can lead to dehydration.
This fluid loss can negatively impact circulating blood volume, reduce cardiac output, and thus reduce athletic performance. Likewise, athletes accustomed to the cooler climate of high altitudes may face significant challenges when competing in hot, humid climates.
Change time zone or jet lag It disrupts the internal body clock and affects the circadian rhythm. This can lead to sleep problems, fatigue, and decreased physical and mental performance.
As far as athletes are concerned, jet lag May negatively impact your ability to train and compete at the highest level. Daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and impaired coordination are common symptoms.
Food availability and dietary changes can also affect the intake of essential nutrients. Athletes may not find the same foods they normally eat, which can alter their nutritional balance.
A change in diet can cause digestive issues that can affect performance. Introducing new foods may cause an upset stomach or food intolerance.
Psychology also plays a vital role in altitude athletic performance.
Changes in altitude can have a significant psychological impact on elite athletes, whether they are athletes ascending from the plains to a high-altitude city or athletes descending from high altitude to the plains.
This impact can affect their performance and general well-being, leading to anxiety and anticipatory stress, psychosomatic symptoms, psychological adaptation, confidence in performance due to competitive advantage or adaptation to the environment due to changes in daily life.
“For example, teams with a positive mentality like the Brazilians tend to perform better in high-altitude cities compared to teams like the Argentines who worry about hypoxia. This psychological factor is amplified by media coverage, significantly affecting the performance of athletes,” the doctor noted.
Altitude presents an array of challenges and advantages to athletes. Physiological adaptations, psychological effects, and climatic conditions play a vital role in athletic performance; understanding these factors is essential to maximizing an athlete’s potential in different geographical environments.
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