PMID 36834227

Research
All papers

Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Using Elevation Mask May Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Pulmonary Functions, and Hematological Variables in University Athletes

Abouzeid N, ELnaggar M, FathAllah H, Amira M

Question

Does adding an elevation training mask to an eight-week cycling HIIT program improve pulmonary, hematological, and cardiorespiratory outcomes more than HIIT alone in male university athletes?

Summary

In male university athletes, eight weeks of cycle HIIT improved fitness in both groups, and wearing an elevation training mask was associated with larger gains in VO2max, pulmonary function, ventilatory thresholds, and power at thresholds than the same HIIT without the mask. Six of 50 initially assigned athletes were excluded for irregular training or injury.

Methodology

  • Healthy male Saudi university athletes from endurance and mixed-sport backgrounds.
  • 44 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer with elevation training mask.
  • Work intervals: 30 s.
  • Recovery: 90 s active recovery at 25 W.
  • Intensity: Peak power output; ETM simulated 914 m to 3658 m.
  • 35 min.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Parallel-group experimental training study
  • VO2max, Ventilatory thresholds, Pulmonary function, and Hematology were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

VO2max improved more in the ETM group than the no-mask group.

ETM +11.32%; control +2.10%; between-group difference significant.

Improved

Thresholds

Ventilatory thresholds and power at thresholds improved more with ETM.

Between-group changes favored ETM for VT1, power at VT1, VT2, and power at VT2.

Improved

Pulmonary function

FVC and FEV1 changes favored ETM, while FEV1/FVC did not improve.

ETM FVC +2.54% and FEV1 +9.17%; between-group differences significant for FVC and FEV1.

Mixed

Peak power

Peak power output increased in both groups, numerically more with ETM.

ETM +16.10%; control +9.32%.

Improved

Hematology

Hematocrit increased slightly and hemoglobin decreased in both groups.

ETM Hb -7.31%, Hct +2.70%; control Hb -5.29%, Hct +3.45%.

Mixed

Insights

  • A 10 x 30-s cycling format performed twice weekly can improve athlete fitness markers.
  • Elevation masks should be treated as an advanced, optional stimulus rather than necessary HIIT equipment.
  • Mask familiarization and monitoring matter when breathing resistance is added.

Limitations

  • Men only
  • Athlete-only sample
  • Nonrandomized allocation details
  • Baseline differences in hematocrit and threshold power
  • No sham-mask blinding
  • Injury/irregular-training exclusions

Safety

  • Six of 50 assigned athletes were excluded for irregular training and/or injury.
  • No detailed adverse-event table was reported.
  • The authors described ETM training as appearing safe in healthy athletes.