Effects of high-intensity interval training while using a breathing-restrictive mask compared to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia

Abstract

Background: Previous studies of the Elevation Training Mask (ETM) describe comparisons between groups using the ETM and controls for effects on aerobic performance. However, comparisons have not been made to intermittent hypoxic training (IHT). Further, how the ETM impacts exercise economy is unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of training with the ETM compared to IHT on aerobic performance and cycling economy. Methods: Thirty participants were randomized into an ETM, IHT, or control group (n = 10 each). Pre-and post-testing occurred using a ramp VO2max test on a cycle ergometer allowing submaximal power output (PO) measures of economy. Economy was measured using POs of 100, 125, and 150W. High-intensity cycling interval training (HIIT) occurred 2x/week for 30 min/session for six weeks. Sessions were 20 min of HIIT (30s at 100% peak power output (PPO) of pre VO2max, 90s active recovery at 25W, 10 bouts) with a 5-minute warm-up and cool-down. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: All participants improved VO2max, PPO, and PO at ventilatory threshold 2 pre-to post-training (p < 0.05). Interactions between groups showed that the RER for the IHT group increased at 100W and 125W, and decreased at RERmax pre-to post-training while the ETM group showed the opposite response (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The ETM and IHT groups performed similarly to the control at maximal and submaximal effort following six weeks of training. The IHT group, but not the ETM group, experienced an increased glycolytic energy shift during submaximal exercise.

During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, Does Wearing a Mask Improve or Worsen Physical Performance?

“…Another study by Eijsvogels et al 13 who studied the regulation of heat and the breathing of athletes shares the opinion of Bellovary. 14 Research has shown that if the mouth and nose are fully covered, there may be some limitations to the air intake, which can increase discomfort and mitigate running performance. Another important aspect is the humidity caused by breathing on the masks, which increases the resistance to the entry of air.…”

“…The use of training masks can improve lung capacity and oxygen efficiency, simulating high altitude conditions. 14 Although there are controversies about the real benefits of altitude masks, there are doubts as to whether the same principle could be applied to cloth masks. However, this depends on some factors, among which, the most important is the place where physical activity is performed (with or without agglomeration).…”

Differences in Metabolic Stress Using a Breathing Restrictive Mask Compared to Hypobaric Hypoxia During Cycling at a Matched Workload

“…Cycling training studies have shown similar increases in VO 2max when the ETM was compared to exercising control (no ETM) and hypoxic groups [3,18]. Porcari et al [18] showed that 6 weeks of high-intensity cycling interval training with the ETM increased power output at the first (VT1) and the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) compared to pretraining values.…”

“…The reduction in expiratory flow traps and increases carbon dioxide within the dead space of the ETM resulting in rebreathing of carbon dioxide that could cause a reduction in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) [12,18]. However, the reduction in SpO 2 (97%-89%) occurring from the ETM across the valve settings to simulate an altitude range of 914-4572 m, is less than that with equivalent increases in environmental altitude [3,12,15,18]. Though inspiratory and expiratory flow are inhibited while wearing the ETM, Granados et al [12] determined the ETM was well tolerated when used recreationally by men during treadmill running.…”

Efectos de 20 semanas de utilización de máscaras de entrenamiento en altura durante un programa de entrenamiento funcional

“…No existe consenso sobre los eventuales beneficios que el uso de estas máscaras pudiera otorgar ya sea para la salud o el rendimiento (Romero-Arenas, López-Pérez, Colomer-Poveda, & Márquez, 2019;Warren, Spaniol, & Bonnette, 2017). Además de la discrepancia de los hallazgos, gran parte de los trabajos publicados refieren a las respuestas fisiológicas agudas provocadas por el uso de estos dispositivos (Andre et al, 2018;Barbieri, 2017;Granados, Gillum, Castillo, Christmas, & Kuennen, 2016;Granados, Jansen, Harton, Gillum, & Kuennen, 2014;Hess, 2017;Jagim, Camic, Jones, & Oliver, 2017;Jung, Lee, John, & Lee, 2019;Maspero & Smith, 2016;Motoyama, Joel, Pereira, Esteves, & Azevedo, 2016;Öncen & Pinar, 2018;Ott, Joyce, & Hillman, 2019;Romero-Arenas et al, 2019;Teodoro, 2017;Teodoro et al, 2019), y los estudios que han investigado las adaptaciones luego de un período de entrenamiento se han limitado a intervenciones de seis semanas (Bellovary et al, 2019;Biggs, England, & Turcotte, 2017;Hultquist et al, 2018;Maher & Figueroa, 2016;Porcari et al, 2016;Probst, 2015;Segizbaeva & Aleksandrova, 2018b;Sellers, Monaghan, Schnaiter, Jacobson, & Pope, 2016), siete semanas (Warren et al, 2017), ocho semanas (Abdelkader, 2018), diez semanas (Sagaste, 2018) o 12 semanas (Segizbaeva & Aleksandrova, 2018a), pero ninguno ha alcanzado las 20 semanas como en el presente estudio. Por último, no hemos encontrado ningún trabajo que refiera el empleo de ETM® en sujetos que asisten a clases de Entrenamiento Funcional.…”