Effects of intermittent hypdxic training on normoxic exercise performance in elite wrestlers

Abstract

The aim of present study was to assess the effect of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on anaerobic power, aerobic capacity and dynamic muscular maximum strength (1-RM) in elite freestyle wrestlers. Thirty elite freestyle wrestlers (mean age 23.4 +/- 4.1 years; height 169.1 +/- 15.4 cm; body mass 74.2 1 +/- 10.4 kg) who competed in Turkish First Wrestling League voluntary participated in present study. A pre-post randomised controlled training intervention design was employed to analyse the effect of an IHT program on anaerobic power, aerobic capacity and dynamic muscular maximum strength. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the first group performed normal usual normoxic wrestling training ( sea level) during a 8-week period (CG), while the second group performed usual normoxic wrestling training plus an IHT program (twice a week) in similar to 2000 m altitude during a 8-week period (IHTG).In conclusion, the use twice a week of intermittent hypoxic training increased anaerobic power, 1-RM and aerobic capacity of elite freestyle wrestlers.