Intermittent hypoxic training improves anaerobic performance in competitive swimmers when implemented into a direct competition mesocycle

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on anaerobic and aerobic capacity and swimming performance in well-trained swimmers. Sixteen male swimmers were randomly divided into a hypoxia (H) group (n = 8), which trained in a normobaric hypoxia environment, and a control (C) group (n = 8), which exercised under normoxic conditions. However, one participant left the study without explanation. During the experiment group H trained on land twice per week in simulated hypoxia (FiO2 = 15.5%, corresponding to 2,500 m a.s.l); however, they conducted swim training in normoxic conditions. Group C performed the same training program under normoxic conditions. The training program included four weekly microcyles, followed by three days of recovery. During practice sessions on land, the swimmers performed 30 second sprints on an arm-ergometer, alternating with two minute high intensity intervals on a lower limb cycle ergometer. The results showed that the training on land caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in absolute maximal workload (WRmax) by 7.4% in group H and by 3.2% in group C and relative values of VO2max by 6.9% in group H and 3.7% in group C. However, absolute values of VO2max were not significantly changed. Additionally, a significant (p<0.05) increase in mean power (Pmean) during the first (11.7%) and second (11.9%) Wingate tests was only observed in group H. The delta values of lactate concentration (ΔLA) after both Wingate tests were significantly (p<0.05) higher in comparison to baseline levels by 28.8% in group H. Opposite changes were observed in delta values of blood pH (ΔpH) after both Wingate tests in group H, with a significant decrease in values of ΔpH by 33.3%. The IHT caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in 100m and 200m swimming performance, by 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively in group H. Training in normoxia (group C), resulted in a significant (p<0.05) improvement of swimming performance at 100m and 200m, by 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. In conclusion, the most important finding of this study includes a significant improvement in anaerobic capacity and swimming performance after high-intensity IHT. However, this training protocol had no effect on absolute values of VO2max and hematological variables.

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

“…This could explain why the IHT group performed similarly on the post-training VO2max test as the other groups, as they did not have a sufficient stimulus to increase their oxygen-carrying capacity. However, the current study supports the findings by Czuba et al (2011Czuba et al ( , 2017 that IHT when exercising in hypoxia can improve VO2max and PPO. Finally, the hypothesis stating the IHT group would increase their VO2max more than the ETM and CON groups was rejected.…”

“…The swimmers demonstrated improved post-training anaerobic performance on a Wingate test after four weeks of training. Absolute maximal workload increased from pre-to post-training by 7.4%, mean power output by 11.8%, and VO2max by 6.9% (Czuba et al, 2017). In another study, elite cyclists performed high-intensity training (95% of lactate threshold) while exposed to normobaric hypoxia for 30 -40 minutes each day, three days per week for three weeks.…”

“…Other researchers found IHT improved anaerobic and aerobic performance when exposed to hypoxia during training rather than during a resting state. Czuba et al (2017) had trained swimmers perform high-intensity land training specific to swimming while exposed to normobaric hypoxia for 45 -55 minutes each session, twice a week for four weeks. The swimmers demonstrated improved post-training anaerobic performance on a Wingate test after four weeks of training.…”

“…Similar to previous studies, the researchers reported increased cycling VO2max (4.0%) and maximal workload (6.6%) (Czuba et al, 2011). Interestingly, even with different modes of exercise, trained swimmers and cyclists demonstrate improvements in performance when exercising in normobaric hypoxia (Czuba et al, 2011;Czuba et al, 2017). Thus, a key factor to potentiate improvements to physical performance during IHT could be the use of high-intensity exercise (McLean et al, 2014).…”

The effects of a 6-week core exercises on swimming performance of national level swimmers

“…There is a lot of evidence in the literature on the effectiveness of training on land for the results achieved in swimming [17,18]. In the studies of Patil et al [4], in accordance with the authors’ expectations, the planned specialist core muscle strengthening training improved the performance of this area (Functional Core Muscle Strength test) and led to significant improvement during a 50 m freestyle.…”