Altitude-induced effects on neuromuscular, metabolic and perceptual responses before, during and after a high-intensity resistance training session

Abstract

Purpose We tested if an acute ascending to 2320 m above sea level (asl) affects corticospinal excitability (CSE) and intracortical inhibition (SICI) measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at rest, before, during and after a traditional hypertrophy-oriented resistance training (RT) session. We also explored whether blood lactate concentration (BLa), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived muscular pain and total training volume differed when the RT session was performed at hypoxia (H) or normoxia (N). Methods Twelve resistance-trained men performed eight sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of one repetition maximum of a bar biceps curl at N (SpO2 = 98.0 ± 0.9%) and H (at 2320 asl, SpO2 = 94.0 ± 1.9%) in random order. Before each session, a subjective well-being questionnaire, the resting motor threshold (rMT) and a single pulse recruitment curve were measured. Before, during and after the RT session, BLa, RPE, muscle pain, CSE and SICI were measured. Results Before the RT session only the rMT differed between H (− 5.3%) and N (ES = 0.38). RPE, muscle pain and BLa increased through the RT session and were greater at H than N (12%, 54% and 15%, respectively) despite a similar training volume (1618 ± 468 kg vs. 1638 ± 509 kg). CSE was reduced during the RT session (~ 27%) but recovered ten minutes after, regardless of the environmental condition. SICI did not change after any RT session. Conclusions The data suggest that acute exposure to moderate hypoxia slightly increased the excitability of the most excitable structures of the corticospinal tract but did not influence intracortical or corticospinal responses to a single RT session.