Author(s): FAVRET, F., KOUASSI, B.Y.L.1, GRANDPERRIN, A.2, HUREAU, T.J.1, BLAESS, J.3, EVRARD, C.3, PISTEA, C.3, ENACHE, I.3, DUFOUR, S.P.1, Institution: UNIVERSITY OF STRASBOURG, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 2008

INTRODUCTION:
Live Low – Train High (LL-TH) models of hypoxia training have provided equivocal results when hypoxia exposure was limited to high-intensity aerobic training sessions [1-2]. A major issue is the reduction in the mechanical training load required to cope with the hypoxia-induced limitation in maximal aerobic power. Using the specific features of eccentric (ECC) cycling, namely its ability to achieve high mechanical power output despite limited metabolic demand [3], might be a promising strategy to maintain or enhance the mechanical training load in LL-TH interventions. This case study aimed to establish if combining high-intensity interval concentric (CON) and ECC cycling under hypoxia improves physiological determinant of judo performance in a well-trained female judo athlete.
METHODS:
A well-trained female judoka (21y, 1.70m, 69kg, national level, last two year weekly training volume: 10-15h) underwent 2 weekly normobaric hypoxic (3,000m) training sessions over a 6-wk period. Each training session required 5 repetitions of 3-min CON cycling at 100% of her hypoxic CON maximal aerobic power (MAP), separated by 3-min of active recovery in ECC cycling at 150% of her hypoxic CON MAP. Pre and post training assessments included body composition (DEXA scan), vastus lateralis thickness (VLT, echography), knee extensor maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC), maximal incremental cycling tests in normoxia and hypoxia as well as a repeated cycling sprint ability test (RSA, 10s sprint/20s passive recovery). All cycling tests were performed in CON mode. Data are presented as single individual post vs pre relative changes.
RESULTS:
All training sessions (exercise CON power=170W; recovery ECC power=260W) were completed with a hypoxic exposure of 60min/wk. Fat mass decreased after training (-9.5%) whereas fat-free mass and VLT increased (2.5 and 7.2% respectively). In hypoxia, the power output associated to maximal oxygen uptake (pVO2max, +11.1%) as well as with the second (pSV2, +20%) and the first ventilatory thresholds (pSV1, +20%) improved after training. In normoxia, greater values were also observed after training for pVO2max (+13.7%), pSV2 (+12.5%) and pSV1 (+25%). MVC did not change (-1.8%) but absolute CON maximal sprint power improved (8.5%). During the RSA test, the number of sprints performed before exhaustion increased (22%) while the peak power output developed during each sprint improved (12%).
CONCLUSION:
These data demonstrate the feasibility of a new LL-TH design combining high-intensity CON and ECC cycling in moderate hypoxia. The results suggest beneficial morphological, cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular adaptations with the potential to improve judo performance in well-trained to elite judo athletes. Chronic studies should further explore this new LL-TH strategy to confirm this case report.
1. Dufour et al. J Appl Physiol. 2006
2. Faiss et al. Brit J Sports Med. 2013
3. Isner-Horobeti et al. Sport Med. 2013

This study was supported by a grant ANR-20-STHP-0002