Effects of Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Sea-Level Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Franck Brocherie (1, 2) , Olivier Girard (3, 2) , Raphael Faiss (2) , Grégoire P Millet (2)

1 SEP (EA7370) - French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA7370)
2 ISSUL - Institute of Sport Sciences of University of Lausanne
3 Qatar Orthopaedic Sports Medecine Hospital

BACKGROUND: Repeated-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) is a recent intervention regarding which numerous studies have reported effects on sea-level physical performance outcomes that are debated. No previous study has performed a meta-analysis of the effects of RSH. OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed the literature and meta-analyzed the effects of RSH versus repeated-sprint training in normoxia (RSN) on key components of sea-level physical performance, i.e., best and mean (all sprint) performance during repeated-sprint exercise and aerobic capacity (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake [[Formula: see text]]). METHODS: The PubMed/MEDLINE, SportDiscus®, ProQuest, and Web of Science online databases were searched for original articles-published up to July 2016-assessing changes in physical performance following RSH and RSN. The meta-analysis was conducted to determine the standardized mean difference (SMD) between the effects of RSH and RSN on sea-level performance outcomes. RESULTS: After systematic review, nine controlled studies were selected, including a total of 202 individuals (mean age 22.6 ± 6.1 years; 180 males). After data pooling, mean performance during repeated sprints (SMD = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.02 to 0.93; P = 0.05) was further enhanced with RSH when compared with RSN. Although non-significant, additional benefits were also observed for best repeated-sprint performance (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.89; P = 0.30) and [Formula: see text] (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.61; P = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Based on current scientific literature, RSH induces greater improvement for mean repeated-sprint performance during sea-level repeated sprinting than RSN. The additional benefit observed for best repeated-sprint performance and [Formula: see text] for RSH versus RSN was not significantly different.

Mots clés: Repeated-sprint training in hypoxia; Repeated-sprint training; Normoxia; Hypoxia

Domaines: Sport; Physiologie du sport

Franck Brocherie, Olivier Girard, Raphael Faiss, Grégoire P Millet. Effects of Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Sea-Level Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 2017, 47 (8), pp.1651-1660. ⟨10.1007/s40279-017-0685-3⟩. ⟨hal-02545023⟩