While the benefits arising from the traditional live high-train low (LHTL) altitude training have been attributed to an improved erythropoietic response, other non-haematological (muscle efficiency) factors have also the potential to improve sport-specific fitness. Recently, repeated sprint in hypoxia (RSH) has proved superior to similar training in normoxia (RSN) in enhancing high-intensity, intermittent performance. The usefulness of combining LHTL and RSH on team-sport related activities has not yet been investigated. Using a double-blinded design, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that in-season RSH combined with LHTL, namely “live-high, train-low and high” (LHTLH) provides superior physical performance benefits in team-sport players than the combination of LHTL and RSN or than live low-train low (LLTL). Twenty-three elite field hockey players slept in normobaric hypoxia for 14 days (14h.day-1; simulated altitude of 2500-3000 m or FiO2 ~15.1-14.5%) and, in addition to their usual training, completed 6 repeated running sprint sessions (4 sets of 5 x 5-s sprints, 25 s of passive rest between sprints, 5 min between sets) either in normobaric hypoxia (LHTLH; 3000 m or FiO2 ~14.5%, n=11) or in normoxia (LHTL; n=12) on synthetic grass inside a 45-m long, mobile inflatable simulated hypoxic equipment. The control group (LLTL, n=9) slept and train as usually at sea-level. Before (Pre-) and after (Post-) intervention, haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured in duplicate by using the 2-min optimised carbon monoxide rebreathing method. Repeated sprint ability (8 x 20-m sprints, 20 s recovery) and specific aerobic fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2; YYIR2) were tested. The two hypoxic groups similarly increased their Hbmass (888±107 vs. 924±114 g and 931±131 vs. 965±137 g for LHTLH and LHTL, respectively; both P<0.001), with no changes in LLTL (929±171 vs. 937±179 g). From Pre- to Post-, LHTLH and LHTL (+21 and +22%; both P<0.001) improved their performance on the YYIR2 test to the same extent, while no significant improvement (+4%) occurred in LLTL. During the repeated sprint ability test, both best (-3.0%, P<0.001 and -1.6%, P<0.05) and cumulated (-3.6%, P<0.001 and -1.9%, P<0.01) sprint times were improved for LHTLH and LHTL groups, with no changes in LLTL (+0.2% and -0.7%). The combination of a 2-wk in season LHTL altitude training intervention with six sessions of RSH or RSN enhanced blood-carrying capacity and specific aerobic fitness but LHTLH induced twofold larger immediate improvements in repeated sprint ability than LHTL in a group of elite field hockey players. Whether RSH up-regulates muscle glycolytic and oxidative pathways more than RSN and induces delayed (2-wk-post camp) performance enhancements will be determined using our full data set.
Physiology 2014 (London, UK) (2014) Proc Physiol Soc 31, PCB127
Poster Communications: Live high-train low and high (interspersed with repeated sprint in hypoxia): effects on team sports specific fitness
F. Brocherie1, G. P. Millet1, A. Hauser2, J. Rysman3,4, J. P. Wehrlin2, O. Girard1,5
1. Institute of Sports Sciences - ISSUL, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. 2. Section for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, Magglingen, Switzerland. 3. Department of Osteopathy, Research Unit of Osteopathy, Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, UniversitÚ Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. 4. Faculty of Motor Sciences, UniversitÚ Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. 5. Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, ASPETAR - Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
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Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.