PMID 24511346

Research
All papers

The effects of high intensity interval training in normobaric hypoxia on aerobic capacity in basketball players

Czuba M, Zając A, Maszczyk A, Roczniok R, Poprzęcki S, Garbaciak W, Zając T

Question

Does performing the same high-intensity interval training in normobaric hypoxia produce larger aerobic and hematological adaptations than normoxic training in basketball players?

Summary

In 12 well-trained male basketball players, three weeks of HIIT in simulated altitude improved treadmill distance, maximal workload, VO2max, oxygen pulse, and lactate recovery more than the same training in normoxia. Hematological and body-composition measures did not change.

Methodology

  • Well-trained male basketball players from the same team.
  • 12 participants.
  • Treadmill running in normobaric hypoxia.
  • Work intervals: 4 min.
  • Recovery: 4 min active recovery.
  • Intensity: 90% vVO2max-hyp work, 60% recovery; simulated 2500 m.
  • About 57-65 min.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 3 weeks.
  • Small parallel-group controlled training study
  • VO2max, Maximal workload, Lactate recovery, and Hematology were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

Hypoxic HIIT increased VO2max more than normoxic HIIT.

Hypoxia absolute +6.5% and relative +7.8%, p<0.001; normoxia absolute +1.3% and relative +2.1%, p<0.05.

Improved

Workload

Maximal workload improved in hypoxia, with smaller normoxic changes.

Hypoxia absolute +4.5%, p<0.01 and relative +6.2%, p<0.01; normoxia relative +2.8%, p<0.05.

Improved

Lactate recovery

Hypoxic training improved lactate recovery.

Delta lactate -9.5%, p<0.05; 12-min recovery improved, p<0.01.

Improved

Hematology

Blood morphology did not significantly change.

No significant changes in RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or MCV.

No clear change

Insights

  • Four-minute intervals can build aerobic capacity in trained athletes.
  • Hypoxic augmentation is an advanced, equipment-dependent strategy.
  • Performance gains should not be framed as hematological adaptation in this short protocol.

Limitations

  • Small sample
  • Men only
  • Athlete-only
  • Short intervention
  • No non-training control group
  • Concurrent basketball practice

Safety

  • Participants had medical clearance for exhaustive hypoxic exercise.
  • No adverse events were reported in the extracted NXML.