Maintenance of internal load despite a stepwise reduction in external load during moderate intensity heart rate clamped cycling with acute graded normobaric hypoxia in males.
J Sci Med Sport 2023;
26:628-635. [PMID:
37852804 DOI:
10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the acute effects of graded hypoxia on external and internal loads during 60 min of endurance cycling at a clamped heart rate.
DESIGN
Repeated measures.
METHODS
On separate visits, 16 trained males cycled for 60 min at a clamped heart rate corresponding to 80 % of their first ventilatory threshold at sea-level and 2500 m, 3000 m, 3500 m and 4000 m simulated altitudes (inspired oxygen fractions of 20.9 %, 15.4 %, 14.5 %, 13.6 % and 12.7 %, respectively). Markers of external (power output) and internal (blood lactate concentration, tissue saturation index, cardio-respiratory and perceptual responses) loads were measured every 15 min during cycling. Neuromuscular function of knee extensors was characterised pre- and post-exercise.
RESULTS
Compared to sea-level (101 ± 22 W), there was a stepwise reduction in power output with increasing hypoxia severity (-17.9 ± 8.9 %, -27.1 ± 10.7 %, -34.2 ± 12.0 % and - 44.6 ± 15.1 % at 2500 m, 3000 m, 3500 m, and 4000 m, respectively, all p < 0.05). Blood lactate and tissue saturation index were not different across hypoxia severities, and perceptual responses were exacerbated at 4000 m only, with increased breathing difficulty. Knee extensor torque decreased post-exercise (-14.5 ± 9.0 %, p < 0.05), independent of condition.
CONCLUSIONS
Increasing hypoxia severity reduces cycling power output and arterial oxygen saturation in a stepwise fashion without affecting exercise responses between sea-level and simulated altitudes up to 3500 m despite breathing difficulty being elevated at 4000 m.
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