Effects of interval and sprint training under hypobaric hypoxia on aerobic, anaerobic, and time trial performance in elite Korean national male mountain bike cyclists-a pilot study

The purpose of our study to determine the effects of interval hypoxic training (IHT) and repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) on metabolic and cardiac function during submaximal exercise, aerobic and anaerobic performance, and time trial performance in elite Korean national male mountain bike (MTB) cyclists. The participants included elite Korean national male MTB cyclists (n = 4) preparing for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022. The hypoxic training frequency was 90 min (3 days per week for 4 weeks). Before and after hypoxic training, metabolic and cardiac functions during submaximal exercise, aerobic performance, anaerobic performance and time trial performance were measured. Oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide excretion, and heart rate tended to decrease, and stroke volume, end-diastolic volume and cardiac output tended to increase. In aerobic, anaerobic and time trial performances, the peak torque in aerobic performance significantly increased (p = 0.046). Maximal oxygen uptake and exercise time in aerobic performance, relative peak power, relative mean power, post-exercise blood lactate level, fatigue index in anaerobic performance, and time trial performance showed an improved tendency (all p = 0.068). Our pilot study confirmed that although the sample size was small, IHT and RSH can potentially improve athletic performance in elite Korean national male MTB cyclists.