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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2019
Respiratory muscle endurance training: effect on normoxic and hypoxic exercise performance
Michail E Keramidas1, Tadej Debevec, Mojca Amon
1Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. mkeram@phed.uoa.gr
Respiratory muscle endurance training improved maximal aerobic capacity in hypoxia but not in normoxia. This training enhanced endurance performance in hypoxic conditions, with sustained benefits observed post-training.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Endurance exercise performance is influenced by both central and peripheral factors.
- Respiratory muscle function plays a critical role in oxygen delivery and fatigue resistance during prolonged exercise.
- The specific effects of respiratory muscle endurance training (RMT) on exercise performance in varying oxygen conditions require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of respiratory muscle endurance training (RMT) on endurance exercise performance.
- To compare the effects of RMT in normoxic (normal oxygen) and hypoxic (low oxygen) environments.
- To assess the changes in aerobic capacity and exercise performance following a 4-week RMT program.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen healthy males were divided into RMT and control (CON) groups.
- Both groups underwent 4 weeks of cycle ergometer training.
- The RMT group additionally performed 30 minutes of isocapnic hyperpnea training prior to cycling.
Main Results:
- Both groups improved maximal oxygen uptake in normoxia (VO(2max)NOR).
- Only the RMT group showed significant improvement in VO(2max) in hypoxia (VO(2max)HYPO).
- RMT enhanced maximal ventilation and sustained improvements in normoxic constant-load test duration.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory muscle endurance training combined with cycle ergometry enhances aerobic capacity in hypoxia.
- RMT does not provide additional benefits to aerobic capacity in normoxia compared to cycle ergometry alone.
- No additional effects of RMT were observed during constant-load exercise in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions.
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