Hypoxic training and team sports: a challenge to traditional methods?

In 2007, Wilber 1 presented the main alti- tude/hypoxic training methods used by elite athletes:‘live high—train high’(LHTH) and‘live high—train low’(LHTL); sleeping at altitude to gain the haematological adap- tations (increased erythrocyte volume) but training at sea level to maximise perform- ance (maintenance of sea-level training intensity and oxygenflux). The LHTL method can be accomplished through a number of methods and devices: natural/ terrestrial altitude, nitrogen dilution, oxygenfiltration and supplemental oxygen. Another method is the‘live low—train high’(LLTH) method including intermittent hypoxic exposure at rest (IHE) or during intermittent hypoxic training sessions (IHT). Noteworthy, all supporting refer- ences were conducted with endurance elite athletes (ie, cyclists, triathletes, cross- country skiers, runners, swimmers, kayakers and rowers) and there is an extensive litera- ture relative to LHTH as well as LHTL. However, there is a lack of evidence for the applicability of these methods in team-sport athletes. In recent times, media reports have pro- vided us with coverage of some high- profile clubs or national squads in various team-sport disciplines undertakingfitness programmes at altitude during the early preseason or in preparation of a major competition. Despite the evident observa- tion that athletes from different team sports and from all around the world are using altitude training more than ever before, it is stunning to note that to date there are only two hypoxic training studies that have been conducted with team-sport players. 23 Therefore, there is an urgent need for mechanistic as well as applied studies investigating team-sport performance changes following hypoxic training in a sport-specific population before solid evidence-based recommenda- tions can be definitely formulated.

This editorial discusses hypoxic training methods and their applicability to team sports.