Jim Blair, the fitness guru who honed the All Blacks when they annexed the first World Cup, is advocating a fresh approach for preparing sports teams.
He thinks they would see much improved fitness results if they used an altitude training system his business partners have developed - one Blair
claims is inexpensive and delivers specific diagnostic details for each user.
"It might not make players much quicker but it will allow them to be faster again and again and again," Blair said. "In today's game with its multiple phases, that would be invaluable."
Sports teams were using rebreather systems but none had specific diagnostic devices attached to them.
"This is specific, portable and individual with each system costing hundreds rather than thousands of dollars. We've had players using hyperbaric chambers and similar methods which are extremely costly and time-consuming," Blair said. "This method is portable, specific and would allow players to wear it at home at rest for between 15 and 30 minutes depending on their body type and needs."
Blair and his company's general manager Michael Mitchener have been speaking to a number of sports bodies about their concept.
