Climatization - Snowboarding Forum

dharmashred · 01-13-2010, 02:16 PM

My 6 yr old has been struggling with getting used to the altitude when we go up. He tires out before the other kids on his team, since they are all used to it. I know he'll just have to adjust with time, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips that would be helpful during the interim. I use a humidifier when we're at the place, and I make sure he drinks lots of water, is there anything else I do? Thanks!

Deviant · 01-13-2010, 02:26 PM

In addition to the fluids, eating more helps too, carbs can help, but I've always heard smaller and eating more often should help too. Have him stuff some snacks in his pockets, if you're on a long chairlift ride that's a good time to re-fuel.

dharmashred · 01-13-2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks. Yeah, the little dude's always hungry, I stuff his pockets with trail mix, craisins, kid cliff bars, pretty much anything he won't annihilate if he falls.

Tarzanman · 01-13-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharmashred

My 6 yr old has been struggling with getting used to the altitude when we go up. He tires out before the other kids on his team, since they are all used to it. I know he'll just have to adjust with time, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips that would be helpful during the interim. I use a humidifier when we're at the place, and I make sure he drinks lots of water, is there anything else I do? Thanks!

For a 6 yr old? No, not really. Carbo loading, making sure he's properly hydrated (don't overdo it) and gets enough rest are all you can do.

dharmashred · 01-13-2010, 08:09 PM

Awesome! Thanks Snowolf! I've been doing some research...realized I spelled the shit wrong

BurtonAvenger · 01-13-2010, 08:45 PM

Water based fruits are what he should be eating instead of trail mix or anything with salt. Also give him a hit of O2 from time to time it'll perk him right up.

burritosandsnow · 01-13-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurtonAvenger

Water based fruits are what he should be eating instead of trail mix or anything with salt. Also give him a hit of O2 from time to time it'll perk him right up.

ha was gonna say watch the sodium ..bananas for potassium should help too .. maybe take three 15 minute breaks a day to refuel vs one 45 lunch break

Nugggster · 01-13-2010, 09:10 PM

I didnt notice the difference in altitude on my oxygen intake until I hit 10,000 feet. Going from 7,000 upto 9,000 I didnt notice the difference, but that extra 1,000 feet upto 10,000 was like night & day to me. Its like I hit this wall where I suddenly felt a huge difference. It took much longer to catch my breath & I got winded much easier & felt taxed from just walking. I didnt get any headaches just felt winded a ton easier. Im surprised 1,000 feet made such a difference as well.

On another note, alcohol affects you more at higher elevations

FoShizzle · 01-14-2010, 09:14 PM

If he struggles with the altitude, I'm almost positive that's just his VO2 MAX. Basically, since there is less oxygen at higher altitudes, it'll obviously be harder for him to breathe, causing him to get tired; especially since he's a younger child too.

So basically, from my knowledge, the best way you can help him is really to increase his VO2 MAX. You can increase VO2 MAX by training or just get use to the altitude with time, so your hemoglobin can produce more red-blood-cells to carry oxygen to the lungs.

*VO2 MAX: maximum oxygen uptake

dharmashred · 01-15-2010, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the articles, a lot of good info in there. His little lungs are just not used to having to work that hard.

I talked with the coach, we're probably going to have him do a half day pm session on Sat and then full day on Sunday, that way he can slowly acclimate himself without overexerting. Thanks for all the good info!

01-13-2010, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
dharmashred Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lee Vining Posts: 414	Climatization My 6 yr old has been struggling with getting used to the altitude when we go up. He tires out before the other kids on his team, since they are all used to it. I know he'll just have to adjust with time, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips that would be helpful during the interim. I use a humidifier when we're at the place, and I make sure he drinks lots of water, is there anything else I do? Thanks! __________________ Every turn is a blessing.

01-13-2010, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
dharmashred Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lee Vining Posts: 414	Thanks. Yeah, the little dude's always hungry, I stuff his pockets with trail mix, craisins, kid cliff bars, pretty much anything he won't annihilate if he falls. __________________ Every turn is a blessing.

01-13-2010, 08:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
dharmashred Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lee Vining Posts: 414	Awesome! Thanks Snowolf! I've been doing some research...realized I spelled the shit wrong __________________ Every turn is a blessing.

01-13-2010, 08:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,019	Water based fruits are what he should be eating instead of trail mix or anything with salt. Also give him a hit of O2 from time to time it'll perk him right up. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

01-14-2010, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
FoShizzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 162	If he struggles with the altitude, I'm almost positive that's just his VO2 MAX. Basically, since there is less oxygen at higher altitudes, it'll obviously be harder for him to breathe, causing him to get tired; especially since he's a younger child too. So basically, from my knowledge, the best way you can help him is really to increase his VO2 MAX. You can increase VO2 MAX by training or just get use to the altitude with time, so your hemoglobin can produce more red-blood-cells to carry oxygen to the lungs. VO2 MAX: maximum oxygen uptake __________________ Last edited by FoShizzle; 01-14-2010 at 09:37 PM.*

01-13-2010, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Deviant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,657	In addition to the fluids, eating more helps too, carbs can help, but I've always heard smaller and eating more often should help too. Have him stuff some snacks in his pockets, if you're on a long chairlift ride that's a good time to re-fuel.

01-13-2010, 09:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nugggster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 257	I didnt notice the difference in altitude on my oxygen intake until I hit 10,000 feet. Going from 7,000 upto 9,000 I didnt notice the difference, but that extra 1,000 feet upto 10,000 was like night & day to me. Its like I hit this wall where I suddenly felt a huge difference. It took much longer to catch my breath & I got winded much easier & felt taxed from just walking. I didnt get any headaches just felt winded a ton easier. Im surprised 1,000 feet made such a difference as well. On another note, alcohol affects you more at higher elevations

01-15-2010, 01:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
dharmashred Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lee Vining Posts: 414	Thanks for the articles, a lot of good info in there. His little lungs are just not used to having to work that hard. I talked with the coach, we're probably going to have him do a half day pm session on Sat and then full day on Sunday, that way he can slowly acclimate himself without overexerting. Thanks for all the good info! __________________ Every turn is a blessing.

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