Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxic training on selected risk factors. Thirty two male subjects were randomly assigned to either a normoxic (N, n=14) or hypoxic (H, n=18) training group which involved 4 weeks of cycling in normobaric normoxia (F1O2=20.9%) or normobaric hypoxia (F1O2=16.0%) 3 times per week for 20-30 minutes at 70-85% of maximum heart rate. Immediately prior to (PRE) and 4 days following training (POST), each subject provided an overnight fasted venous blood sample and performed a V̇O2max test in normobaric normoxia. Dietary composition and caloric intake did not change during PRE and POST testing. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, HDL, LDL and non-esterified fatty acids decreased following both N and H training (P<0.05-P<0.001 v PRE, NS between groups). Apolipoproteins A1 and B decreased following N training only (P<0.001). Whilst serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and red cell folate remained stable, plasma total homocysteine increased by 10% (P<0.05) and decreased by 11% following N and H training respectively. V̇O2max increased by 0.47±0.77 L.min−1 (P<0.05) and the rate pressure product decreased by 3±6% (P<0.05) due to a 10±9 mmHg decrease in maximum systolic blood pressure (P<0.001) following H training only. In summary, these data highlight the synergistic effects of physical exercise and intermittent hypoxia which resulted in marked changes in an individual's health and fitness profile.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S182-S182 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | Supplement 5 |
| Publication status | Published - May 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |