Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch, Hamadan, Iran.
2 Hamedan
Abstract
Altitude training camps have become increasingly popular within sport tourism destinations, offering athletes the dual benefits of physiological enhancement and exposure to attractive travel environments. This review examines the effectiveness of altitude-based sport tourism programs in producing hematological adaptations—particularly changes in red blood cell count, hemoglobin mass, erythropoietin (EPO) levels, and oxygen-carrying capacity—as well as their organizational implications for teams, federations, and tourism stakeholders. Beyond the physiological dimension, altitude training camps have significant organizational and managerial outcomes. Sport tourism destinations with suitable altitude profiles generate economic revenue, create seasonal employment, and elevate the international reputation of host regions. For sport organizations, altitude camps serve strategic purposes in talent development, team cohesion, and performance planning before major competitions. However, challenges such as financial cost, logistical complexity, athlete safety, accommodation quality, and access to medical support can influence the effectiveness and sustainability of such programs. The review highlights the need for integrated planning between sport scientists, coaches, tourism managers, and local authorities to optimize both physiological outcomes for athletes and organizational benefits for host destinations.
Overall, altitude training camps represent a unique intersection of sport physiology and sport tourism management, offering measurable hematological advantages alongside valuable economic and organizational opportunities when implemented under evidence-based protocols
Main Subjects
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