• Who

Space is available for 24 athletes (16 Men, 8 Women)

"Ideal" age range for athletes - 18-25

Athletes with NCAA eligibility remaining CAN participate and not lose eligibility

For this summer's project, special priority will be given to qualified twin or sibling pairs who wish to participate.

• Primary qualifications

Athletes should have met the following competitive standards (or their equivalent) in 1999 or 2000

                        Men                             Women

3,000m             8:50                             10:45

5,000m           15:15                             18:45

Athletes must be able to commit to the project for the entire duration (at this time, tentative dates are June 4 - August 13, 2000).

Athletes must not have lived at an altitude over 4,000ft for longer than 4 weeks in the previous 6 months.

Athletes must be injury free at the beginning of the project and able to train at a competitive level.

• When and Where

Project dates at this time are June 4th through August 13, 2000
6/4 - 6/30        Dallas, Texas (Sea-level testing and training)
6/30 - 7/27      Park City / Salt Lake City, Utah (Altitude training)
7/27 - 8/13      Dallas, Texas (Sea-level follow-up testing and training)

Athletes will need to arrive in Dallas on the first day of the project and must be able to commit to the project for the entire duration.  

• What

Training

While at altitude, all training will follow the "Live high - Train Low" altitude training model.

For this project, athletes will be randomly assigned to one of four groups, living at either 6,000ft, 7,000ft, 8,000ft, or 9,000ft.

Gentle or "base" training for all groups will be done at altitudes between 6,000 and 10,000ft, and all high intensity interval or tempo runs will be done at low altitude (4,200ft) in Salt Lake City (a 30 min drive from Park City).

All athletes will need to work closely with their personal coach to design a general training outline for the summer.  Specific training details will need to be planned to conform with the overall racing and testing schedule of the project (for example - slight tapers before time trials, no hard workouts before treadmill tests, etc).  The sports scientists will also advise athletes on how best to adjust training at altitude for maximal benefit.

Testing

During the entire project, athletes will be asked to keep detailed training logs, fill out weekly dietary summaries, and wear a standard heart rate monitor during workouts.   Additionally, athletes will be required to take iron supplements during the entire project.

Sea level testing in Dallas

Two maximal treadmill tests (VO2max tests) before and 2 tests after the altitude camp.
Two 3,000m time trials on a track before and two 3k time trials after the altitude camp.
Four overnight altitude chamber "sleeps" - where the athlete sleeps overnight in our altitude chamber - before going to altitude.
Blood testing on a weekly basis

Altitude testing in Utah

Two 3,000m time trials - one at 4,200ft shortly after arrival at altitude, one at 5,700ft after 4 weeks at altitude.
Blood testing 3 times in the first week, then weekly for the next four weeks.

• Compensation

The following expenses are covered by research grant funds:

While in Dallas, athletes will be housed in furnished corporate apartments, and in Utah, athletes will be housed in furnished condominiums.  Food costs have been budgeted at $60 per week while in Dallas and Utah.  Athlete groups typically shop as an "apartment" or "condo" and we have found that budgeting $60 per athlete per week is more than sufficient to provide excellent eating in a group environment.

Air transportation from Dallas to Utah is covered, as is van transportation to and from workout sites.   All costs associated with physiological and blood testing are covered, and individual testing result packets will be prepared for each athlete at the conclusion of the project.

Each athlete is responsible for "incidental" expenses, such as eating out, entertainment, etc.  Athletes will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Dallas at the beginning and conclusion of the project.

• Why

Scientific benefits for the researchers and US distance athletes

Data from this research project will help sports scientists and coaches advise U.S. distance athletes  on how best to utilize altitude training.  In the end result, more Olympic and World Championship medals can be won and more PR's achieved.

Benefits for the participating athlete

• A summer of group training, with few distractions.
• Room, food and transportation paid for nearly 3 months
• Free medical/physiological screening and advice that can be applied to training