Final answer:
Olympic team-sport athletes may benefit most from artificial altitude simulation, as it enhances performance through improved oxygen utilization which is crucial in their high-intensity activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial altitude simulation at sea level is a technique used by athletes to mimic training at high altitudes, where oxygen availability is lower. By adapting to these conditions, athletes aim to improve their performance at sea level. The group that might benefit most from this training are Olympic team-sport athletes (d), as these individuals are frequently involved in intermittent high-intensity activities where enhanced oxygen delivery and utilization may play a critical role in performance.
Elite athletes, both male (a) and female (b), could also benefit from altitude training, but the specificity and marginal gains tend to be more significant in athletes competing at the highest levels, such as those in the Olympics. Nonelite runners (c) may not possess the foundational conditioning to capitalize on the physiological adaptations offered by altitude training as elite athletes would.