“Live High–Train low and high” Hypoxic training improves Team-Sport performance

Purpose This study aims to investigate physical performance and hematological changes in 32 elite male team-sport players after 14 d of “live high–train low” (LHTL) training in normobaric hypoxia (≥14 h·d−1 at 2800–3000 m) combined with repeated-sprint training (six sessions of four sets of 5 × 5-s sprints with 25 s of passive recovery) either in normobaric hypoxia at 3000 m (LHTL + RSH, namely, LHTLH; n = 11) or in normoxia (LHTL + RSN, namely, LHTL; n = 12) compared with controlled “live low–train low” (LLTL; n = 9) training. Methods Before (Pre), immediately after (Post-1), and 3 wk after (Post-2) the intervention, hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured in duplicate [optimized carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method], and vertical jump, repeated-sprint (8 × 20 m–20 s recovery), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 (YYIR2) performances were tested. Results Both hypoxic groups similarly increased their Hbmass at Post-1 and Post-2 in reference to Pre (LHTLH: +4.0%, P < 0.001 and +2.7%, P < 0.01; LHTL: +3.0% and +3.0%, both P < 0.001), whereas no change occurred in LLTL. Compared with Pre, YYIR2 performance increased by ∼21% at Post-1 (P < 0.01) and by ∼45% at Post-2 (P < 0.001), with no difference between the two intervention groups (vs no change in LLTL). From Pre to Post-1, cumulated sprint time decreased in LHTLH (−3.6%, P < 0.001) and LHTL (−1.9%, P < 0.01), but not in LLTL (−0.7%), and remained significantly reduced at Post-2 (−3.5%, P < 0.001) in LHTLH only. Vertical jump performance did not change. Conclusions “Live high–train low and high” hypoxic training interspersed with repeated sprints in hypoxia for 14 d (in season) increases the Hbmass, YYIR2 performance, and repeated-sprint ability of elite field team-sport players, with benefits lasting for at least 3 wk postintervention