Changes in anaerobic capacity and blood morphological and biochemical indicators after hypoxic training in an international master class female hurdling athlete

Abstract

Problem statement: In training load periodisation, effective stimuli are pursued to improve physical capacity. The study assessed the impact of 21-day hypoxic training on anaerobic capacity, as well as blood morphological and biochemical indicators in an international master class hurdler. Approach: The study involved a 21.5-year-old female junior world champion in indoor 60-m hurdling (2017, Toruń, Poland). We analysed somatic and physiological, as well as blood morphological and biochemical indicators. The Wingate test assessed anaerobic capacity, and the graded test evaluated aerobic capacity. During the preparation period, the hurdler trained at 223 m a.s.l. and stayed in an oxygen tent simulating high altitude for 3 weeks (12.1 ± 0.3 hours per day on average). We applied the graded test in the initial observation period. The Wingate test, preceded by collecting blood for indicator evaluation, was performed twice: before including hypoxia in the training and 2 weeks after its completion. Results: In the beginning, the athlete was characterised by a body height of 180.0 cm, body weight of 64.0 kg, lean body mass of 55.3 kg, maximum oxygen uptake of 2.79 L·min–1 (43.6 mL·min–1·kg–1). After 14 days of hypoxia, the concentration of red blood cells equalled 4.96 million·µL–1, of haemoglobin: 14.9 g·dL–1, of reticulocytes: 18.7‰. The mean power in relation to body mass increased by 9.8% and the peak power in relation to body mass by 7.01%; lactate maximum concentration raised to 16.9 mmol·L–1. Conclusions: The 3-week ‘live high and train low’ training improved anaerobic capacity and blood morphological and biochemical indicators.