2007, Piran, Slovenia

Altitude Physiology
IS INTERMITTENT HYPOXIC EXPOSURE AN ERGOGENIC
METHOD?
Petra Golja 1 , Matjaz Borovina 1 and Igor B. Mekjavic 2
1 University of Nova Gorica, Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiology,
Vipavska 13, SI-5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
2 Institute Jozef Stefan, Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics,
Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Contact person: petra.golja@p-ng.si
INTRODUCTION
Intermittent hypoxic exposure, often referred to as intermittent hypoxic training
(IHT), is a method used for altitude acclimatisation. The method assumes that a short
duration hypoxic stimulus (inspiration of a hypoxic gas mixture) of high intensity
(FiO2 corresponding to that of severe altitude above sea level) is supposed to evoke a
similar level of altitude acclimatisation as a long sojourn at a moderate altitude. Thus,
in contrast to standard acclimatisation techniques, which rely on prolonged exposures
to moderate altitude, the method of IHT requires daily repetitive, short exposures to
low-oxygen gas mixtures.
The aim of the study was to test whether the use of IHT can induce altitude
acclimatisation in cyclists and potentially improve their exercise performance.
METHODS
Twelve young, healthy cyclists of a similar level of training and at the beginning of
their competitive period were divided into two groups, an acclimatisation group and a
control group. The acclimatisation group performed IHT one hour daily, 5 days per
week for 4 weeks. IHT consisted of repetitive exposures to a hypoxic gas mixture
(FiO2 = 11.4 %, ≈ 4500 m) for 7 minutes, interrupted by 3 minutes of normoxia.
During IHT subjects did not perform any physical activity.
Hematological parameters (Hb, Hct, erithrocytes, reticulocytes, S-Fe, S-ferritin),
oxygen saturation, maximal work load (as determined by an incremental cycle
ergometry test performed at altitude (FiO2 = 13.3 %, ≈ 3000 m) and at sea level),
heart rate, lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were determined before and after
the acclimatization procedure in both groups.
RESULTS
Mean (SD) oxygen saturation measured at the end of the fifth subsequent hypoxic
exposure, was 84 (7) % on the first and 82 (3) % on the last day of IHT. Following the
IHT procedure, no significant changes (p>0.05) in any of the monitored parameters
were noted in either the control or the acclimatisation group (Table 1-2, Figure 1-3).
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