O7 Adaptation to the Environment

Title

Adaptation to the environment involves adjusting the technique, effort strategy and biomechanical parameters according to external conditions: altitude, temperature, wind, surface, slope and implements. At altitude, air density decreases (~1.2% per additional 100 m), reducing aerodynamic drag but also oxygen transport. The sprint at altitude is faster (less drag) but the endurance tests are slower (less O). Downwind reduces drag and improves sprint performance (~0.1 s in 100 m per +2 m/s of rear wind, according to IAAF regulations, records are not valid with wind > 2 m/s). The slope modifies the energy balance: going uphill adds work against gravity; On the way down, eccentric braking work is added. Surface stiffness affects effective leg stiffness and elastic return. In swimming, water temperature affects viscosity and therefore drag. The Péronnet-Thibault model allows race times to be estimated as a function of altitude, correcting both the available VOmax and aerodynamic drag.

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