Impact of Barometric Pressure and Weather Conditions on Markers of Altitude Adaptation in Elite Aquatic Athletes

BACKGROUND: The impact of weather conditions on elite athletes' altitude adaptation is unknown.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of barometric pressure (PB) and key atmospheric conditions over 24 hours prior to daily assessments of athlete adaptation during training at 2320 m.

METHODS: Twenty-seven elite swimmers (12 females) completed between 1 and 7 altitude camps, each of ∼3 to 4 weeks of duration across 3 seasons. In addition, 26 world-class female water polo players completed between 1 and 3 camps (∼2-wk duration) over 3 seasons. Resting heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), urinary specific gravity, body mass, self-reported fatigue, sleep duration and quality were monitored daily. Precipitation, air temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure, dew point, wind speed, PB, and solar radiation were recorded continuously. Mean weather measure values 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours preceding morning assessments were calculated. For each weather metric, a mixed effects model was established to characterize a lag effect by hour(s) and presented as a standardized correlation.

RESULTS: PB had an acute (1 h) positive effect on SpO2 (β = 0.149 per 1SD, 95% confidence interval, 0.069 to 0.228, P = .000), but high PB (β = 0.134 per 1 SD, 0.02 to 0.247, P = .021) and temperature (β = 0.158 per 1SD, 0.035 to 0.281, P = .012) over 24 hours were associated with increased fatigue. Solar radiation over 8 to 12 hours positively influenced sleep quality, whereas high precipitation and wind speed had a negative impact.

CONCLUSION: PB and other key atmospheric variables had small effects on daily markers of athletes' altitude adaptation. Accurate recording and reporting of weather conditions can support precise description of altitude load and insightful interpretation of athlete adaptation.