Dual national 400m champion Ben Offereins and his 2010 female counterpart Jody Henry, both hailing from the Lyn Foreman stable in Perth, are about to end a 21 day period spent at the Australian Institute of Sport’s Altitude House in Canberra.
In simulating an altitude of up to 3000m, nitrogen is pumped in to their air supply, with the effect being that the athlete’s red blood cell count will increase, thereby giving the body more fuel. It is a training method previously used by distance runners and race walkers, but is one of the first occasions it has been used for sprinters.
The plan is all part of the build up to next year’s London Olympics.
“If it turns out to be something really beneficial, then it is something we will look at for the Olympics for sure,” Offereins said.
Offereins will embark on a short European campaign before returning home to Australia to finalise his preparations ahead of the World Championships in Daegu in August.
Upon returning to Perth, Henry will shortly after head to the Gold Coast for the Winter Series Athletics Meets for her first competitive race since straining a hamstring at the Melbourne Track Classic in March.