Effect of training in hypoxia on repeated sprint performance in female athletes

Abstract

Background: This study determined the effect of repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) in female athletes. Methods: Thirty-two college female athletes performed repeated cycling sprints of two sets of 10 × 7-s sprints with a 30-s rest between sprints twice per week for 4 weeks under either normoxic conditions (RSN group; FiO2, 20.9%; n = 16) or hypoxic conditions (RSH group; FiO2, 14.5%; n = 16). The repeated sprint ability (10 × 7-s sprints) and maximal oxygen uptake ($$ \dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} } $$V˙O2max) were determined before and after the training period. Results: After training, when compared to pre-values, the mean power output was higher in all sprints during the repeated sprint test in the RSH group but only for the second half of the sprints in the RSN group (P ≤ 0.05). The percentage increases in peak and mean power output between before and after the training period were significantly greater in the RSH group than in the RSN group (peak power output, 5.0 ± 0.7% vs. 1.5 ± 0.9%, respectively; mean power output, 9.7 ± 0.9% vs. 6.0 ± 0.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). $$ \dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_{2\hbox{max} } $$V˙O2max did not change significantly after the training period in either group. Conclusion: Four weeks of RSH further enhanced the peak and mean power output during repeated sprint test compared with RSN.