Effects of Alternating Altitude Training Versus Fixed-Altitude Training on Exercise Capacity and Physiological Adaptations in Elite Race Walkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07718009 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AAT-RW-2026-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of alternating altitude training and fixed-altitude training on physical performance and physiological adaptations in elite race walkers living at altitude. Elite race walkers from Yunnan Province will be randomly assigned to either an alternating altitude training group or a fixed-altitude training group. The alternating altitude training group will perform selected training sessions under simulated higher-altitude conditions while completing the remaining sessions at their regular altitude training base. The fixed-altitude training group will complete all training sessions at the regular altitude. Physical performance, race walking performance, cardiovascular function, pulmonary function, and hematological parameters will be assessed before and after the intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of the two altitude training strategies.

Conditions

Race Walking; Altitude Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (13)

• Body Weight

  Body weight measured before and after the training period.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Body Fat Percentage

  Body fat percentage measured using bioelectrical impedance or other validated method.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

  Forced vital capacity measured using spirometry before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Maximal Voluntary Ventilation

  MVV measured using standard pulmonary function testing protocol pre- and post-intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Left Ventricular Volume

  Echocardiography measurement of left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Ejection Fraction

  Echocardiography assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction pre- and post-training.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Myocardial Thickness

  Measurement of interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall thickness by echocardiography.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Maximal Oxygen Uptake

  Pre- and post-intervention measurement of VO₂max using standard exercise testing protocol to assess aerobic capacity

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Countermovement jump (CMJ) height measured using a validated force platform or jump assessment system to evaluate lower-limb explosive power before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Squat Jump Height

  Squat jump (SJ) height measured using a validated force platform or jump assessment system to assess concentric lower-limb explosive strength before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force

  Peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) measured using a force platform to assess maximal isometric lower-limb strength before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Rate of Force Development

  Rate of force development (RFD) during the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) measured using a force platform before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Reactive Strength Index (RSI)

  Reactive Strength Index (RSI) calculated from repeated ankle hops using a force platform or validated jump assessment system to assess lower-limb reactive strength before and after the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Red Blood Cell Count

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Hemoglobin

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Hematocrit

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Erythropoietin

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Alternating Altitude Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform the prescribed training program using an alternating altitude strategy, with selected training sessions conducted under simulated higher-altitude conditions and the remaining sessions completed at the regular altitude training base.

Behavioral: Alternating Altitude Training

Fixed-Altitude Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants perform the same prescribed training program entirely at the regular altitude training base throughout the intervention.

Behavioral: Fixed-Altitude Training

Interventions

Alternating Altitude Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants complete the prescribed training program using an alternating altitude strategy, combining regular altitude training with selected sessions performed under simulated higher-altitude conditions.

Alternating Altitude Training

Fixed-Altitude Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants complete the prescribed training program exclusively at the regular altitude training base.

Fixed-Altitude Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female elite race walkers aged 16-26 years. Registered athletes from the Yunnan Provincial Race Walking Team. Long-term residents of high-altitude regions with regular altitude training experience.
• Healthy and medically cleared to participate in high-intensity training and hypoxic exposure.
• Able to complete the prescribed training program and all outcome assessments. Provided written informed consent before enrollment. For participants younger than 18 years, written informed consent will also be obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• Any cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or other medical condition contraindicating exercise or hypoxic exposure.
• Musculoskeletal injury or illness affecting normal training or performance within the previous three months.
• Current use of medications or supplements that may substantially influence physiological adaptation or exercise performance.
• Failure to complete the intervention or outcome assessments according to the study protocol.
• Withdrawal of informed consent at any time during the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Macao Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Macao Polytechnic University, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sports, Macao, China

Macao, China

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Binghong Gao

CONTACT

+853 8591 2000; research_ethics@ipm.edu.mo

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 14, 2026
• First Posted: July 21, 2026
• Study Start: July 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 5, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 5, 2026
• Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)