Effects of 4-week Supramaximal Exercise Training under Normobaric Hypoxia on Anaerobic Energy Release in Cyclists

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of supramaximal pedaling exercise training under normobaric hypoxia on anaerobic energy release in cyclists. METHODS: Thirteen collegiate cyclists were randomly assigned to normoxic (NT; 20.9% O2) or hypoxic (HT; 13.5% O2) training groups. Both groups engaged in supramaximal pedaling training for 4 weeks (50 sec × 7.5% body weight × 2 (with a 10-min rest) /day, 2 days/week). All subjects performed three exercise tests before the 4-week training: 1) a maximal incremental cycling exercise test to determine their maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 peak); 2) 12 submaximal cycling tests to establish the VO2- workload × cadence relationship for determining the oxygen demand of supramaximal cycling; and 3) a 40-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) to determine the anaerobic energy release using a Douglas bag. The anaerobic energy release was evaluated as the accumulated oxygen deficit over 40 seconds. After the 4-week training period, they repeated the WAnT. RESULTS: After training, the mechanical power output during the WAnT was increased between 20 and 40 sec in the HT group (P < 0.05), whereas the O2 demand, O2 deficit, and percentages of anaerobic energy release during WAnT were not changed after the 4-week training in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that 50-second supramaximal cycling exercise training in 13.5% O2 might enhance the mechanical power output, but not the anaerobic energy release in collegiate cyclists.