Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effects of repeated sprint (RS) training in hypoxia on aerobic performance, repeated sprint ability (RSA), and muscle oxygenation in Rugby Sevens.
Methods
Fourteen Rugby Sevens players were randomly allocated into hypoxic (RSH, FIO2 = 14.5%, n = 7) or normoxic (RSN, FIO2 = 20.9%, n = 7) groups. Both groups underwent RS training consisting of 3 sets of 6-s × 10 sprints at 140% of velocity at peak oxygen uptake (\(vV{\text{O}}_{2} {\text{peak}}\)) on a motorized treadmill, 3 days/week for 6 weeks in addition to usual training. Hematological variables, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were measured. Aerobic performance, RSA, and muscle oxygenation during the running-based anaerobic sprint (RAS) test were analyzed.
Results
RSH caused no changes in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit but significant improvements in \(V{\text{O}}_{2} {\text{peak}}\) (7.5%, p = 0.03, ES = 1.07), time to exhaustion (17.6%, p = 0.05, ES = 0.92), and fatigue index (FI, − 12.3%, p = 0.01, ES = 1.39) during the RSA test compared to baseline but not RSN. While ∆deoxygenated hemoglobin was significantly increased both after RSH and RSN (p < 0.05), ∆tissue saturation index (− 56.1%, p = 0.01, ES = 1.35) and ∆oxygenated hemoglobin (− 54.7%, p = 0.04, ES = 0.97) were significantly decreased after RSH. These changes were concomitant with increased levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in serum after RSH with a strong negative correlation between ∆FI and ∆deoxygenated hemoglobin after RSH (r = − 0.81, p = 0.03).
Conclusion
There was minimal benefit from adding RSH to standard Rugby Sevens training, in eliciting improvements in aerobic performance and resistance to fatigue, possibly by enhanced muscle deoxygenation and increased serum HIF-1α and VEGF concentrations.
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Abbreviations
- FI:
-
Fatigue index
- FIO2 :
-
Fraction inspired by oxygen
- Hb:
-
Hemoglobin concentration
- Hct:
-
Hematocrit
- HHb:
-
Deoxygenated hemoglobin
- HIF-1α:
-
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha
- HRpeak:
-
Peak heart rate
- NIRS:
-
Near-infrared spectroscopy
- O2Hb:
-
Oxygenated hemoglobin
- RAS:
-
Running-based anaerobic sprint test
- RPE:
-
Rating of perceived exertion
- RS:
-
Repeated sprint
- RSA:
-
Repeated sprint ability
- RSH:
-
Repeated sprint training in hypoxia
- RSN:
-
Repeated sprint training in normoxia
- SpO2 :
-
Peripheral oxygen saturation
- tHb:
-
Total hemoglobin
- TSI:
-
Tissue saturation index
- VEGF:
-
Vascular endothelial growth factor
- \({\text{VEpeak}}\) :
-
Peak minute ventilation
- \(V_{\max }\) :
-
Maximum velocity
- \(V{\text{O}}_{2} \max\) :
-
Maximal oxygen uptake
- \(V{\text{O}}_{2} {\text{peak}}\) :
-
Peak oxygen uptake
- \(vV{\text{O}}_{2} {\text{peak}}\) :
-
Velocity associated with peak oxygen uptake
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the athletes who participated in the current study. Furthermore, we greatly appreciated the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University and the Faculty of Sports Science Chulalongkorn University for their valuable support. This research was supported by the 90th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Scholarship (Rachadaphisek Sompote Endowment Fund) and the Faculty of Sports Science Research Fund, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
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WP (first author) and TY conceived and designed the trial, including conducted experiments. TS provided technical support throughout the experiment. WP, TS, and TY analyzed data. WP and TY wrote the manuscript. All authors read and edited the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript for publication.
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Pramkratok, W., Songsupap, T. & Yimlamai, T. Repeated sprint training under hypoxia improves aerobic performance and repeated sprint ability by enhancing muscle deoxygenation and markers of angiogenesis in rugby sevens. Eur J Appl Physiol 122, 611–622 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04861-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04861-8