Truijens, M. J., Rodriguez, F. A., Palmer, D., Townsend, N. E., Gore, C. J., Stray-Gundersen, J., & Levine, B. J. (2004). The effect of intermittent hypobaric hypoxic exposure on economy in runners and swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36(5), Supplement abstract 2318.

The effect of intermittent hypoxic exposure on running and swimming economy was evaluated. Athletes (swimmers = 13; runners = 10) were matched and assigned to either a hypobaric hypoxic or normobaric normoxic group. Hypoxia was simulated for an altitude of 4,000 to 5000 meters. Both groups rested for three hours per day, five days per week, for four weeks in a hypobaric chamber, but under the differing conditions of altitude simulation. Economy was defined as VO2 at a given velocity and was evaluated for different velocities.

There were no changes or differences in performance economy between or within the groups.

Implication. Intermittent hypobaric hypoxic training does not alter performance economy of swimmers or runners training at sea level.

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