Brisbane Lions doing high-altitude training in Arizona. Source: The Courier-Mail
HIGH-ALTITUDE training is still at the cutting edge of physical conditioning, according to Brisbane Lions, who began their Arizona boot camp this weekend.
While at least half of the 18 AFL clubs are destined for pre-season conditioning stints on higher ground, the value of training in the thinner air is being questioned.
West Coast's sport science team is not convinced such summer camps provide lasting benefits, while Port Adelaide's high-performance manager Darren Burgess argues that heat training can be more beneficial.
"Altitude has certainly been pretty popular with a lot of the clubs and a lot of the disciplined sports like cycling and running.
"But we'll stick to the heat in Adelaide I reckon," Burgess said.
After last year's experiment with their leadership group, Brisbane has sent the senior half of their list to Flagstaff's Northern Arizona University where they will spend the next fortnight hiking, running, climbing, cycling and lifting, all at 2500m above sea level.
Strength and conditioning coach Matt Hass says their point of difference - and perhaps competitive advantage - is a less-is-more approach.
"We're not here for the traditional reasons, and we're comfortable with that," he said. "We're not looking for real blood changes. Our philosophy is to reduce their running load to get them through to Christmas really healthy and fit."
The scientific thinking behind altitude training is: less oxygenated air at higher altitude makes it harder to breathe - therefore the body adapts by increasing red blood cells or triggering a shift in metabolism.
Once back at sea level, it means the athlete experiences performance gains for the same perceived effort.
The benefits of altitude training for two weeks or more can last a month.
Lions captain Jonathan Brown stayed home to be with family after the birth of his second child last weekend but was so convinced in the method he installed an altitude room at his Morningside fitness centre.
Another club veteran, Simon Black, had a leave pass until Christmas but insisted on travelling to Arizona.
"Just walking down to the training fields, you start to feel your lungs burn a little," full back Daniel Merrett said.
"Last year I got super fit here." There are other benefits, such as the effect of a training camp.
"Being around each other for two weeks, the quality training in different surroundings is stimulating," Hass said.
For the whole two weeks all they do is eat, sleep and train - an environment that drives a spirit of unity and cohesion.
"Blacky's in his 15th year and I've been here about 10 years. It's a nice change of scenery," Merrett said. "We're in each other's back pockets a bit, with no distractions, and that builds a bit of a bond."
Then there are the excellent facilities. The Lions have access to Skydome, a $30 million, 10,000-seat university stadium where they can train beneath the roof, which shields them from single-digit temperatures.
There is a gym with 30 tonnes of free weights which, according to Hass, is "very American. It's more than what we need".
Indoor and outdoor rock climbing, an indoor athletics track and endless mountainbike and running trails add to the overall package.
"The facilities are like nothing we've seen in Queensland. We fell very lucky to be here," Merrett said.
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