Effect of High-Intensity Intermittent Hypoxic Training on 3-on-3 Female Basketball Player’s Performance

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the effects of 4 weeks high-intensity interval training in hypoxia on aerobic and anaerobic performance of 3-on-3 basketball players. Methods In a randomised controlled trial, 15 female basketballers completed eight 1-h high-intensity training sessions in either normobaric hypoxia (hypoxic group n = 8, altitude 3052 m) or normoxia (normoxic group n = 7, sea-level). Results After training, the hypoxic group increased their 1-min all-out shuttle run distance by 2.5% ± 2.3% (mean ± 95% CI, d = 0.83, P = 0.04), compared to the normoxic group 0.2% ± 2.3% (d = 0.06, P = 0.8), with the difference between groups being clinically worthwhile but not statistically significant (d = 0.77, P = 0.1). Distance covered in the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test tended to increase in the hypoxic (32.5% ± 39.3%, d = 1.0, P = 0.1) but not normoxic group (0.3% ± 24.5%, d = 0.08, P = 0.9), with a non-significant change between groups (d = 0.9, P = 0.2). Compared to normoxia, the hypoxic group significantly increased subjective markers of stress (d = 0.53, P = 0.005), fatigue (d = 0.43, P = 0.005), and muscle soreness (d = 0.46, P = 0.01), which resulted in a lower perceived training performance in the hypoxic compared to the normoxic group (d = 0.68, P = 0.001). Conclusion High-intensity interval training under hypoxic conditions likely improved 1-min all-out shuttle run ability in female basketball 3-on-3 players but also increased subjective markers of stress and fatigue which must be taken into consideration when prescribing such training.

Examining the Effects of Altitude on Workload Demands in Professional Basketball Players during the Preseason Phase

“…When the athletes returned to sea level, an increased efficiency of displacements was found, with a reduction in total distance and at low intensity, speed changes, and jumps, as well as maintaining or increasing the high-intensity distance. This efficiency and higher performance are in agreement with other basketball research reporting improved highintensity running capacity [13] and on-court agility performance [12,14] following hypoxic training. In addition, the increased aerobic demands under hypoxia concur with past studies documenting superior VO2 MAX development [11] and faster heart rate recovery [34] in basketball players after altitude training.…”

“…A few studies in basketball have shown the improvement of aerobic capacities [12], high-intensity running performance [13], and on-court high-intensity actions (sprints, jumps, change in direction, etc.) following hypoxic training [14,15].…”

“…Although hypoxic training enhances physical and physiological performance in basketball players, an increase in fatigue and stress values [14], along with reductions in lower limb balance [16] and sleep quality [17], has been reported. Monitoring workloads at altitude is critical to ensure optimal adaptations.…”

Intensive and Extensive Interval Training; Which is Better Against Vo2max Football Athletes?

“…The score is obtained from the distance travelled during the test treatment, after which it is calculated using the Yo-yo Intermittent Recovery Test formula. Yo-yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 takes around 6-20 minutes per session (Smith et al, 2022); (Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2018). Data analysis techniques include descriptive analysis, prerequisite tests (normality and homogeneity tests), and hypothesis testing using paired sample tests and independent sample tests.…”

Editorial – Contemporary Use of Altitude Training to Reach New Heights

“…In last decade, a growing number of "Live Low-Train High" altitude training methods have emerged that include the application of systemic and local hypoxia stimuli, or a combination of both, for performance enhancement [5]. One such method is high-intensity interval training in hypoxia, which was investigated by Smith et al [11] in female 3 × 3 basketball players. Authors observed that the addition of hypoxia to four weeks of high-intensity training improved maximal aerobic performance, shuttle run performance and muscular power compared to a normoxic condition.…”