Int J Sports Physiol Performance, 2006;1:246-260
High-Intensity Kayak Performance
After Adaptation to Intermittent Hypoxia
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Darrell L. Bonetti, Will G. Hopkins, and Andrew E. Kilding
Sport and Recreation Dept, AUT University, Private Bag 92006,
Auckland 1020, New Zealand.
Context: Live-high train-low altitude training produces worthwhile gains in performance for
endurance athletes, but the benefits of adaptation to various forms of artificial altitude are less
clear. Purpose: To quantify the effects of intermittent hypoxic exposure on kayak
performance. Methods: In a crossover design with a 6-week washout, we randomized 10
sub-elite male sprint kayak paddlers to hypoxia or control groups for 3 weeks (5 days/week)
of intermittent hypoxic exposure using a nitrogen-filtration device. Each day's exposure
consisted of alternately breathing hypoxic and ambient air for 5 minutes each over 1 hour.
Performance tests were an incremental step test to estimate peak power, maximal oxygen
uptake, exercise economy, and lactate threshold; a 500-m time trial; and 5 × 100-m sprints.
All tests were performed on a wind-braked kayak ergometer 7 and 3 days pretreatment and
3 and 10 days post treatment. Hemoglobin concentration was measured at 1 day
pretreatment, 5 and 10 days during treatment, and 3 days after treatment. Results: Relative
to control, at 3 days post treatment the hypoxia group showed the following increases: peak
power 6.8% (90% confidence limits, ± 5.2%), mean repeat sprint power 8.3% (± 6.7%),
and hemoglobin concentration 3.6% (± 3.2%). Changes in lactate threshold, mean 500-m
power, maximal oxygen uptake, and exercise economy were unclear. Large effects for peak
power and mean sprint speed were still present 10 days post hypoxia. Conclusion: These
effects of intermittent hypoxic exposure should enhance performance in kayak racing. The
effects might be mediated via changes in oxygen transport. Key Words: altitude training,
lactate threshold, peak power, sprint speed.
