Medical altitude project for the 1968 Olympic Games

Papers, 1965-1968, relating to altitude training in preparation for athletes taking part in the Mexico City Games of 1968.

Concerned that Mexico City's location at 7,500 ft might adversely affect the performance of athletes, the British Olympic Association commissioned a small medical team to travel to Mexico City on 6 November-8 December 1965. The project sought to determine what could be done to improve any adverse reactions to altitude to ensure that athletes could acclimatise to the challenging conditions. Notably includes detailed research into the physical effects of altitude training on six middle distance athletes which compared their oxygen intake, ventilation, heart rate, oxygen debt, blood lactate, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels when training in Mexico City to prior tests conducted in Britain.

The material was not in any discernible order and many of the items were not dated. Items have therefore been arranged chronologically where possible and in subject order