BackgroundThis study determined the effect of repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) in female athletes.MethodsThirty-two college female athletes performed repeated cycling sprints of two sets of 10 × 7-s sprints with a 30-s rest between sprints twice per week for 4 weeks under either normoxic conditions (RSN group; FiO2, 20.9%; n = 16) or hypoxic conditions (RSH group; FiO2, 14.5%; n = 16). The repeated sprint ability (10 × 7-s sprints) and maximal oxygen uptake () were determined before and after the training period.ResultsAfter training, when compared to pre-values, the mean power output was higher in all sprints during the repeated sprint test in the RSH group but only for the second half of the sprints in the RSN group (P ≤ 0.05). The percentage increases in peak and mean power output between before and after the training period were significantly greater in the RSH group than in the RSN group (peak power output, 5.0 ± 0.7% vs. 1.5 ± 0.9%, respectively; mean power output, 9.7 ± 0.9% vs. 6.0 ± 0.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). did not change significantly after the training period in either group.ConclusionFour weeks of RSH further enhanced the peak and mean power output during repeated sprint test compared with RSN.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of 6 successive days of repeated sprint training in moderate hypoxia on anaerobic capacity in 100-200-m sprint runners. Eighteen male sprint runners (age, 20.0 ± 0.3 years; height, 175.9 ± 1.1 cm; body mass, 65.0 ± 1.2 kg) performed repeated cycling sprints for 6 consecutive days in either normoxic (NOR; fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2], 20.9%; n = 9) or hypoxic conditions (HYPO; FiO2, 14.5%; n = 9). The repeated sprint ability (10 × 6-s sprints), 30-s maximal sprint ability, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and 60-m running time on the track were measured before and after the training period. Intramuscular PCr content (quadriceps femoris muscle) was measured by P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P-MRS) before and after the training period. Both groups showed similar improvements in repeated sprint ability after the training period (P<0.05). Power output during the 30-s maximal sprint test and VO2max did not change significantly after the training period in either group. Running time for 0-10m improved significantly after the training period in the HYPO only (before, 1.39 ± 0.01s; after, 1.34 ± 0.02s, P<0.05). The HYPO also showed a significant increase in intramuscular PCr content after the training period (before, 31.5 ± 1.3 mM; after, 38.2 ± 2.8 mM, P<0.05). These results suggest that sprint training for 6 consecutive days in hypoxia or normoxia improved repeated sprint ability in competitive sprint runners.

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