Repeated Wingate sprints is a feasible high-quality training strategy in moderate hypoxia

PLoS One. 2020 Nov 13;15(11):e0242439. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242439. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Sprint-interval training (SIT) is efficient at improving maximal aerobic capacity and anaerobic fitness at sea-level and may be a feasible training strategy at altitude. Here, it was evaluated if SIT intensity can be maintained in mild to moderate hypoxia. It was hypothesized that 6 x 30 s Wingate sprint performance with 2 min active rest between sprints can be performed in hypoxic conditions corresponding to ~3,000 m of altitude without reducing mean power output (MPO). In a single-blinded, randomized crossover design, ten highly-trained male endurance athletes with a maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2max) of 68 ± 5 mL O2 × min-1 × kg-1 completed 6 x 30 s all-out Wingate cycling sprints separated by two-minute active recovery on four separate days in a hypobaric chamber. The ambient pressure within the chamber on each experimental day was 772 mmHg (~0 m), 679 mmHg (~915 m), 585 mmHg (~ 2,150 m), and 522 mmHg (~3,050 m), respectively. MPO was not different at sea-level and up to ~2,150 m (~1% and ~3% non-significant decrements at ~915 and ~2,150 m, respectively), whereas MPO was ~5% lower (P<0.05) at ~3,050 m. Temporal differences between altitudes was not different for peak power output (PPO), despite a main effect of altitude. In conclusion, repeated Wingate exercise can be completed by highly-trained athletes at altitudes up to ~2,150 m without compromising MPO or PPO. In contrast, MPO was compromised in hypobaric hypoxia corresponding to ~3,050 m. Thus, SIT may be an efficient strategy for athletes sojourning to moderate altitude and aiming to maintain training quality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Altitude
  • Athletes
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Tolerance / physiology*
  • High-Intensity Interval Training / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / metabolism
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology*
  • Physical Conditioning, Human / methods
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Random Allocation
  • Running / physiology

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.