The Effects of 15 or 30 s SIT in Normobaric Hypoxia on Aerobic, Anaerobic Performance and Critical Power

• Main Authors: Hakan Karabiyik, Mustafa Can Eser, Ozkan Guler, Burak Caglar Yasli, Goktug Ertetik, Aysegul Sisman, Mitat Koz, Tomasz Gabrys, Karol Pilis, Raci Karayigit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: HIIT; team athletes; normobaric hypoxia; chronic training; sprint duration
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3976
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

Sprint interval training (SIT) is a concept that has been shown to enhance aerobic-anaerobic training adaptations and induce larger effects in hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of SIT with 15 or 30 s in hypoxia on aerobic, anaerobic performance and critical power (CP). A total of 32 male team players were divided into four groups: SIT with 15 s at FiO₂: 0.209 (15 N); FiO₂: 0.135 (15 H); SIT with 30 s at FiO₂: 0.209 (30 N); and FiO₂: 0.135 (30 H). VO_2max did not significantly increase, however time-to-exhaustion (TTE) was found to be significantly longer in the post test compared to pre test (<i>p</i> = 0.001) with no difference between groups (<i>p</i> = 0.86). Mean power (MPw.kg) after repeated wingate tests was significantly higher compared to pre training in all groups (<i>p</i> = 0.001) with no difference between groups (<i>p</i> = 0.66). Similarly, CP was increased in all groups with 4 weeks of SIT (<i>p</i> = 0.001) with no difference between groups (<i>p</i> = 0.82). This study showed that 4 weeks of SIT with 15 and 30 s sprint bouts in normoxia or hypoxia did not increased VO_2max in trained athletes. However, anerobic performance and CP can be increased with 4 weeks of SIT both in normoxia or hypoxia with 15 or 30 s of sprint durations.