Effects of 4 weeks of device-induced normobaric intermittent hypoxia/hyperoxia training on the performance of elite cyclists: A pilot study

Introduction p = 0.082) and a significant increase of erythrocyte counts (z = 2.193; p = 0.028) were detected. Other haematological parameters and HIF-1α did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Discussion & Conclusion In summary, four weeks of device-induced normobaric IHHT had a modest effect on haematological parameters, but with no detectable transfer to maximal or submaximal endurance performance in highly trained athletes. Although various studies have shown that the difference between normobaric and hypobaric hypoxia exposure is not limited to the partial pressure of oxygen, but Mounier and Brugniaux state that the physiological responses are in fact equivalent (Mounier & Brugniaux, 2012). However, due to the limitations of the competitive setting and the low sample size, the final interpretation of the study remains difficult. References Burtscher, M. (2005). Intermittierende Hypoxie: Höhenvorbereitung, Training, Therapie Intermittent hypoxia: altitude preparation, training, therapy. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin und Sporttraumatologie, 53(2), 61-67. Serebrovskaya, T. V. (2002). Intermittent hypoxia research in the former Soviet Union and the commonwealth of independent states: History and review of the concept and selected applications. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 3(2), 205-221. https://doi.org/10.1089/15270290260131939 Mounier, R., & Brugniaux, J. V. (2012). Counterpoint: Hypobaric hypoxia does not induce different responses from normobaric hypoxia. Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(10), 1784-1786. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00067.2012a Mujika, I., Sharma, A. P., & Stellingwerff, T. (2019). Contemporary periodization of altitude training for elite endurance athletes: A narrative review. Sports Medicine, 49, 1651-1669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01165-y