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Effect of intermittent hypoxic training on 20 km time trial and 30 s anaerobic performance
Author(s) -
Hamlin M. J.,
Marshall H. C.,
Hellemans J.,
Ainslie P. N.,
Anglem N.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00946.x
Subject(s) - anaerobic exercise , time trial , medicine , sprint , placebo , physical therapy , wingate test , vo2 max , anesthesia , heart rate , respiratory exchange ratio , oxygen saturation , blood lactate , hypoxia (environmental) , oxygen , blood pressure , alternative medicine , pathology , chemistry , organic chemistry
This study aimed to verify whether the “live low, train high” approach is beneficial for endurance and/or anaerobic cycling performance. Sixteen well‐trained athletes completed 90 min of endurance training (60–70% of heart rate reserve), followed by two 30‐s all‐out sprints (Wingate test), daily, for 10 consecutive days. Nine subjects [intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) group] trained with an F I O 2 set to produce arterial oxygen saturations of ∼88–82%, while seven subjects (placebo group) trained while breathing a normal gas mixture (F I O 2 =0.21). Four performance tests were conducted at sea level including a familiarization and baseline trial, followed by repeat trials at 2 and 9 days post‐intervention. Relative to the placebo group, the mean power during the 30‐s Wingate test increased by 3.0% (95% confidence limits, CL ± 3.5%) 2 days, and 1.7% (± 3.8%) 9 days post‐IHT. Changes in other performance variables (30 s peak power, 20 km mean power and 20 km oxygen cost) were unclear. During the time trial, the IHT participants' blood lactate concentration, respiratory exchange ratio, and SpO 2 , relative to the placebo group, was substantially increased at 2 days post‐intervention. The addition of IHT to the normal training program of well‐trained athletes produced worthwhile gains in 30 s sprint performance possibly through enhanced glycolysis.