Game performance and intermittent hypoxic training

Erica A Hinckson ^1*, Michael J. Hamlin ², Matthew R Wood ¹ and Will G Hopkins ¹

¹ AUT University, New Zealand
² Lincoln University, New Zealand

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: erica.hinckson{at}aut.ac.nz.

Accepted 7 February 2007

Abstract

Live high-train low altitude exposure simulated with hypoxic devices may improve athletic performance. In this study, intermittent normobaric hypoxia was achieved with the GO₂altitude® hypoxicator to determine its effects on sea-level performance in rugby players. Ten players were randomly assigned to two groups. Players in each group received 14 sessions of either hypoxic (10-15% O₂) or normoxic (21% O₂) exposure at rest over 14 consecutive days in a single-blind fashion. Each session consisted of six 6-min intervals of hypoxic exposure interspersed with six 4-min recovery periods of room air. Various performance measures were obtained consecutively in a single testing session pre- and post-exposure. Effects of hypoxic exposure on maximum speed and sprint times were trivial (<1.0%) but unclear (90% likely range ±5% to ±9%). In the rugby simulation, hypoxic exposure produced impairments of peak power in two scrums (15%, ±8%; 9%, ±7%) and impairments of time in offensive sprints (7%, ±8%) and tackle sprints (11%, ±9%). Three other types of sprint (20-m, 30-m and defensive) in the simulation showed impairments (1.6% to 3.5%), but these were unclear (±4.5% to ±7.0%). The effect on ball-passing accuracy was also unclear (2%, ±19%). Pending further research, rugby players would be unwise to use normobaric intermittent hypoxic exposure to prepare for games at sea level.

Key Words: Hypoxia, IHT, performance, rugby, training

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