A program of circuit resistance training under hypobaric hypoxia conditions improves the anaerobic performance of athletes

Abstract

Summary Objective Training high–living low model has been studied as an intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) for anaerobic performance improvement. To test the hypothesis that a high-intensity circuit strength training (CST) performed in hypoxia increases the anaerobic running performance at sea level. Equipment and methods Twelve sub-elite male 400-m runners were divided into two groups: hypoxia (HYP) (n = 6) and control (NOR) (n = 6). Twelve sessions were performed over a period of four weeks (three days/week) without any additional running training. Hypobaric training was performed at a simulated altitude of 3000 m (700 hPa; 10.15 PSI). The anaerobic running performance was tested with a repeated interval running training (RIR). Based on an “all-out” 300-m test performed before and after CST, the subjects performed as many sets as they could at 90% of the individual maximal speed reached with a three-minute rest period between sets. Results As compared to controls, the HYP group showed the following responses post CST: RIR +20.5% (number of sets) (P 0.05). However, CST in HYP showed a higher HRavg (152.6 ± 6.2) than sea level training (144.4 ± 5.1) (P Conclusions These data indicate that a CST in hypoxia conditions increases the anaerobic performance in trained athletes.