Live-high train-low improves repeated time-trial and Yo-Yo IR2 performance in sub-elite team-sport athletes

Abstract Objectives To determine the efficacy of live-high train-low on team-sport athlete physical capacity and the time-course for adaptation. Design Pre-post parallel-groups. Methods Fifteen Australian footballers were matched for Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-YoIR2) performance and assigned to LHTL ( n = 7) or control (Con; n = 8). LHTL spent 19 nights (3 × 5 nights, 1 × 4 nights, each block separated by 2 nights at sea level) at 3000-m simulated altitude (FI O2 : 0.142). Yo-Yo IR2 was performed pre and post 5, 15, and 19 nights. A 2- and 1-km time-trial (TT) was performed pre and post intervention. Haemoglobin mass (Hbmass ) was measured in LHTL after 5, 10, 15, and 19 nights. A contemporary statistical approach using effect size, confidence limits, and magnitude-based inferences was used to measure changes between groups. Results Compared to pre, Hbmass was possibly higher after 15 (3.8%, effect size (ES) 0.19, 90% confidence limits 0.05–0.33) and very likely higher after 19 nights (6.7%, 0.35, 0.10; 0.52). For Yo-Yo IR2, LHTL group change was not meaningfully different to Con after 5 nights, possibly greater after 15 (10.2%, 0.37, −0.29; 1.04), and likely greater after 19 nights (13.5%, 0.49, −0.16; 1.14). Both groups improved 2-km TT, with LHTL improvement possibly higher than CON (1.9%, 0.22, −0.18; 0.62). Only LHTL improved 1-km TT, with LHTL improvement likely greater than CON (4.6%, 0.56, −0.08; 1.04). Conclusions Fifteen nights of LHTL was possibly effective, while 19 nights was effective at increasing Hbmass , Yo-Yo IR2 and repeated TT performance more than sea-level training.