Intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions for six weeks improved athletic performance, hemodynamic function, and autonomic nervous system function compared to normoxic training in 20 runners.
Does intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions improve athletic performance and physiological functions in middle- and long-distance runners?
Intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions enhances athletic performance and cardiovascular/autonomic function in runners without compromising immune function.
This study evaluated the effects of intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions for six weeks compared with normoxic conditions, on hemodynamic function, autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, immune function, and athletic performance in middle- and long-distance runners. Twenty athletes were divided into normoxic training (normoxic training group (NTG); n = 10; residing and training at sea level) and hypoxic training (hypoxic training group (HTG); n = 10; residing at sea level but training in 526-mmHg hypobaric hypoxia) groups. All dependent variables were measured before, and after, training. The training frequency was 90 min, 3 d per week for six weeks. Body composition showed no significant difference between the two groups. However, the HTG showed more significantly improved athletic performance (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake). The hemodynamic function (e.g., oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse, and cardiac output) during submaximal exercise and ANS function (e.g., standard deviation and root mean square of successive differences, high frequency, and low/high frequency) improved more in the HTG. Immune function parameters were stable within the normal range before and after training in both groups. Therefore, hypoxic training was more effective in enhancing athletic performance, and improving hemodynamic and ANS function; further, it did not adversely affect immune function in competitive runners.
Jung et al. (Mon,) conducted a other in Healthy middle- and long-distance runners (n=20). Intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions (526-mmHg hypobaric hypoxia) vs. Normoxic training (residing and training at sea level) was evaluated on Athletic performance, hemodynamic function, autonomic nervous system function, and immune function. Intermittent interval training in hypoxic conditions for six weeks improved athletic performance, hemodynamic function, and autonomic nervous system function compared to normoxic training in 20 runners.