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Endurance, aerobic high-intensity, and repeated sprint cycling performance is unaffected by normobaric “Live High-Train Low”: a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study

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Abstract

The aim was to investigate whether 6 weeks of normobaric “Live High-Train Low” (LHTL) using altitude tents affect highly trained athletes incremental peak power, 26-km time-trial cycling performance, 3-min all-out performance, and 30-s repeated sprint ability. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over design, seven highly trained triathletes were exposed to 6 weeks of normobaric hypoxia (LHTL) and normoxia (placebo) for 8 h/day. LHTL exposure consisted of 2 weeks at 2500 m, 2 weeks at 3000 m, and 2 weeks at 3500 m. Power output during an incremental test, ~26-km time trial, 3-min all-out exercise, and 8 × 30 s of all-out sprint was evaluated before and after the intervention. Following at least 8 weeks of wash-out, the subjects crossed over and repeated the procedure. Incremental peak power output was similar after both interventions [LHTL: 375 ± 74 vs. 369 ± 70 W (pre-vs-post), placebo: 385 ± 60 vs. 364 ± 79 W (pre-vs-post)]. Likewise, mean power output was similar between treatments as well as before and after each intervention for time trial [LHTL: 257 ± 49 vs. 254 ± 54 W (pre-vs-post), placebo: 267 ± 57 vs. 267 ± 52 W (pre-vs-post)], and 3-min all-out [LHTL: 366 ± 68 vs. 369 ± 72 W (pre-vs-post), placebo: 365 ± 66 vs. 355 ± 71 W (pre-vs-post)]. Furthermore, peak- and mean power output during repeated sprint exercise was similar between groups at all time points (n = 5). In conclusion, 6 weeks of normobaric LHTL using altitude tents simulating altitudes of 2500–3500 m conducted in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over design do not affect power output during an incremental test, a ~26-km time-trial test, or 3-min all-out exercise in highly trained triathletes. Furthermore, 30 s of repeated sprint ability was unaltered.

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Abbreviations

LHTL:

Live high-train low

VO2peak :

Maximal oxygen uptake

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank all the subjects participating in the study. The study was supported by Team Denmark.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jacob Bejder, Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen, Rie Buchardt, Tanja Hultengren Larsson & Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg

  2. Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Niels Vidiendal Olsen

  3. Department of Neuroanesteshia, The Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark

    Niels Vidiendal Olsen

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  1. Jacob Bejder
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  2. Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen
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  5. Niels Vidiendal Olsen
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  6. Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg
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Correspondence to Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg.

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Communicated by Susan Hopkins.

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Bejder, J., Andersen, A.B., Buchardt, R. et al. Endurance, aerobic high-intensity, and repeated sprint cycling performance is unaffected by normobaric “Live High-Train Low”: a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 979–988 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3586-0

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