Wales have embarked on their second Rugby World Cup training camp and are currently being put through their paces out in Doha.
They have travelled to the Middle East for 10 days as part of a rigorous schedule that follows 15 days in the Swiss Alps.
Why have Wales chosen Doha?
Under the guidance of Prof. Mathew Wilson at Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital and training at the world-renowned Aspire Academy, the squad are being pushed in extreme heat that often exceeds 40 degrees. The heat training will be combined with altitude methods once again with the players sleeping in hypoxic chambers that can replicate up to 4500m above sea level.
This compliments the live high, sleep low methods employed in Switzerland.
Why altitude and heat training when RWC is in the UK?
Combining heat and altitude training will allow the players to perform better not only in hot conditions, but also in temperate conditions upon their return to the UK. Putting it simply, training in the heat and at altitude improves rugby performance in the cool.
Training in these conditions encourages the body to produce more red blood cells and increase hemoglobin mass. When they return to the UK, they will be fitter and able to train for longer.
It’s about putting the players in peak physical condition.
