Author(s): IMAI, T., Institution: AICHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1471

INTRODUCTION:
Exercise training in a low-pressure hypoxic environment at high altitude stimulates erythropoietin and can be expected to increase oxygen uptake through increased red blood cell counts and other effects［1］. On the other hand, training in a special environment at high altitude increases the physiological stress on the body more than in sea-level training. Therefore, there is a higher risk of condition breakdown. Hence, it is necessary to monitor the condition of athletes daily through subjective assessment and physiological indices.
Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) is produced by the sympathetic nervous-adrenal medullary system (SAM) axis and is a known indicator of sympathetic nervous activity［2］. Therefore, it is also used as an indicator of mental and physical stress in exercise training. sAA can be quickly and inexpensively measured and has the potential to objectively assess the physical and mental state under the special conditions of high-altitude training. The purpose of this study was to compare the response of sAA to training at sea level and high altitude.

METHODS:
In this study, nine university athletes were majoring in medium and long distance. sAA was collected for concoctive four days on sea level and high-altitude training. High altitude training was performed in Hida ontake kokgen highland training area (Elevation 1,800〜2000m). The subjective condition of university athletes was assessed on a scale of one to ten, with one indicating the worst condition. sAA is assessed using a simple measurement device (salivary amylase monitor, Nipro Corp, Japan) with a specialized kit. The data was analyzed with Two-way ANOVA).
RESULTS:
Age and physical characteristics of university athletes were (20.7±0.7 yr, 171.9±5.9 cm, and 57.3±5.3 kg). sAA of sea level was first to forth day（8.8±1.4, 7.3±1.2, 8.3±1.1,and 9.3±1.3 kU/l; mean ±SE ）. aAA of high altitude was (51±9.6, 30.3±6.3, 27.7±6.5 ,and 30.1±8.5 kU/l; mean ±SE）. There was no interaction between sAA values on the sea level and the high altitude, but the first day at the high altitude was significantly higher than the second, third, and fourth days, respectively（first day vs. p<0.05）. Subjective assessment was not significantly different in sea level and high altitude (sea level:4.3±0.6,4.6±0.3,5.8±0.4, and 4.4±0.3; mean ±SE) vs. (high altitude: 4.9±0.3, 4.6±0.4, 5.1±0.4, and 5.2±0.4; mean ±SE)
CONCLUSION:
The sAA on high altitude was highest on the first day. It was suggested that this may reflect a mental and physiological stress response that subjective sensation cannot assess.
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［2］Yamaguchi M, Kanemori T, Kanemaru M, et al. Performance evaluation of salivary amylase activity monitor.
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