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Effects of hypoxic interval training on cycling performance
Belle Roels1, Grégoire P Millet, Christophe J L Marcoux
1UPRES EA 3759 Faculty of Sport Sciences, 700 avenue Pic St Loup, 34090 Montpellier, France. belle.roels@univ-montpl.fr
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|January 6, 2005
Summary
Intermittent hypoxic interval training (IHIT) improved sea level cycling performance and VO2max in well-trained athletes. Short-term hypoxia exposure did not enhance endurance performance more than normoxic training.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Altitude Training
Background:
- Hypoxic training is explored for enhancing athletic performance.
- Understanding optimal training protocols in hypoxia is crucial for athletes.
- Previous research suggests varied responses to different hypoxic training methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if intermittent hypoxic interval training (IHIT) improves sea-level cycling performance.
- To compare IHIT with intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) and normoxic training (Nor).
- To test the hypothesis that IHIT yields superior performance gains.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-three trained cyclists/triathletes underwent a 7-week training program.
- Groups included IHIT (intervals in normoxia, recovery in hypoxia), IHT (all in hypoxia), and Nor (all in normoxia).
- Training involved two weekly high-intensity interval sessions at 90-100% peak power output.
Main Results:
- All groups showed similar improvements in mean power output after 4 weeks (approx. 5%).
- Only the IHIT group demonstrated a significant increase in VO2max (8.7%).
- No significant changes in cycling efficiency or hematological variables were observed in any group.
Conclusions:
- Four weeks of interval training effectively improved endurance performance.
- Short-term hypoxia exposure (approx. 114 min/week) did not provide additional performance benefits over normoxic training.
- IHIT may offer specific advantages for improving VO2max in cyclists.