ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the physiological adaptations of males and females to repeated sprint training in hypoxia. METHODS: Active males and females completed 7 weeks of repeated sprint training in normoxia (RSN, FiO2 = 0.209, males: n = 11, females: n = 8) or hypoxia (RSH, FiO2 = 0.146, males: n = 12, females: n = 10). Before (Pre-) and after (Post-) training, a repeated sprint ability test (RSA) was performed (10 s cycle sprints with 20 s recovery between sprints, until exhaustion), and aerobic and anaerobic qualities were evaluated in normoxia. RESULTS: The number of sprints during RSA increased after training in HYP from 11 to 21 in males and from 8 to 14 in females (p < 0.001, CI = [5, 11]), without significant changes after RSN (10 vs 14 and 8 vs 10 in males and females, respectively). No improvements in mean or peak power output were found in either group. Total work during RSA improved after training in all groups (+9 ± 2 kJ, p < 0.001). Tissue saturation index (TSI) during the repeated sprints was higher in females than males (+10 ± 2 %, p < 0.001). The difference in TSI between the recovery and sprint phases remained unchanged after training. VO2peak during an incremental exercise test increased in all groups (+3 ± 1 ml·kg-1·min-1, p = 0.039). Mean power output during a Wingate test also increased in both males and females in RSN and RSH (+0.38 ± 0.18 W·kg-1, p = 0.036). No changes were observed in hematological parameters after training. CONCLUSIONS: Seven weeks of RSH further increased the number of repeated sprints performed to exhaustion compared to RSN in females, in the same order of magnitude as in males.
