Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biochemical responses and physical performance during high-intensity resistance circuit training in hypoxia and normoxia

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hypoxia on metabolic and acid–base balance, blood oxygenation, electrolyte, and half-squat performance variables during high-resistance circuit (HRC) training.

Methods

Twelve resistance-trained subjects participated in this study. After a 6RM testing session, participants performed three randomized trials of HRC: normoxia (NORM: FiO2 = 0.21), moderate hypoxia (MH: FiO2 = 0.16), or high hypoxia (HH: FiO2 = 0.13), separated by 72 h of recovery in normoxic conditions. HRC consisted of two blocks of three exercises (Block 1: bench press, deadlift and elbow flexion; Block 2: half-squat, triceps extension, and ankle extension). Each exercise was performed at 6RM. Rest periods lasted for 35 s between exercises, 3 min between sets, and 5 min between blocks. Peak and mean force and power were determined during half-squat. Metabolic, acid–base balance, blood oxygenation and electrolyte variables, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured following each block.

Results

During the first set, peak force and power were significantly lower in HH than MH and NORM; whereas in the second set, mean and peak force and power were significantly lower in HH than NORM. At the end of the HRC training session, blood lactate and RPE in HH were significantly higher than in MH and NORM. SaO2, pH, HCO3 −, and pO2 values were significantly lower in all hypoxic conditions than in NORM.

Conclusion

These results indicate that simulated hypoxia during HRC exercise reduce blood oxygenation, pH, and HCO3 −, and increased blood lactate ultimately decreasing muscular performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ACSM:

American college of sports medicine

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

Ca2+ :

Calcium

Cl− :

Chloride

cm:

Centimeter

FiO2 :

Fraction of inspired oxygen

Glu:

Glucose

H+ :

Hydrogen

HCO3 :

Bicarbonate

HH:

High hypoxia

HRC:

High-resistance circuit

K+ :

Potassium

l:

Litre

m:

Meter

MH:

Moderate hypoxia

min:

Minute

kg:

Kilogram

Na+ :

Sodium

NORM:

Normoxia

pCO2 :

Carbon dioxide partial pressure

PCr:

Phosphocreatine

pO2 :

Oxygen partial pressure

RM:

Maximum repetition

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

RT:

Resistance training

RTH:

Resistance training under hypoxia

s:

Second

SaO2 :

Arterial oxygen saturation

SPSS:

Statistical package for the social sciences

W:

Watt

References

  • Alcaraz PE, Sanchez-Lorente J, Blazevich AJ (2008) Physical performance and cardiovascular responses to an acute bout of heavy resistance circuit training versus traditional strength training. J Strength Cond Res 22:667–671

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alcaraz PE, Perez-Gomez J, Chavarrias M, Blazevich AJ (2011) Similarity in adaptations to high-resistance circuit vs. traditional strength training in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 25:2519–2527

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez-Herms J, Julià-Sánchez A, Corbi F, Pagès T, Viscor G (2015a). A program of circuit resistance training under hypobaric hypoxia conditions improves the anaerobic performance of athletes. Sci Sport 31(2):78–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez-Herms J, Julia-Sanchez S, Gatterer H, Viscor G, Burtscher M (2015b) Differing levels of acute hypoxia do not influence maximal anaerobic power capacity. Wilderness Environ Med 26:78–82

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American College of Sports Medicine (2009) American college of sports medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:687–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böning D, Klarholz C, Himmelsbach B, Hütler M, Maassen N (2007) Causes of differences in exercise-induced changes of base excess and blood lactate. Eur J Appl Physiol 99(2):163–171

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowtell JL, Cooke K, Turner R, Mileva KN, Sumners DP (2014) Acute physiological and performance responses to repeated sprints in varying degrees of hypoxia. J Sci Med Sport 17:399–403

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brosnan MJ, Martin DT, Hahn AG, Gore CJ, Hawley JA (2000) Impaired interval exercise responses in elite female cyclists at moderate simulated altitude. J Appl Physiol 89:1819–1824

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buchheit M, Kuitunen S, Voss SC, Williams BK, Mendez-Villanueva A, Bourdon PC (2012) Physiological strain associated with high-intensity hypoxic intervals in highly trained young runners. J Strength Cond Res 26(1):94–105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cairns SP, Ruzhynsky V, Renaud JM (2004) Protective role of extracellular chloride in fatigue of isolated mammalian skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 287(3):C762–C770

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calbet JA, De Paz JA, Garatachea N, De Vaca SC, Chavarren J (2003) Anaerobic energy provision does not limit Wingate exercise performance in endurance-trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol 94(2):668–676

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cerretelli P, Samaja M (2003) Acid–base balance at exercise in normoxia and in chronic hypoxia. Revisiting the” lactate paradox”. Eur J Appl Physiol 90(5):431–448

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colliander EB, Dudley GA, Tesch PA (1988) Skeletal muscle fibre type composition and performance during repeated bouts of maximal concentric contractions. Eur J App Physiol 58:81–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, Lamonte MJ, Lee IM, Nieman DC, Swain DP (2011) American college of sports medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:1334–1359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan MC, Richardson RS, Haseler LJ (1999) Human muscle performance and PCr hydrolysis with varied inspired oxygen fractions: a P-31-MRS study. J Appl Physiol 86(4):1367–1373

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Juel C (1998) Muscle pH regulation: role of training. Acta Physiol Scand 162(3):359–366

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Juel C (2008) Regulation of pH in human skeletal muscle: adaptations to physical activity. Acta physiol 193(1):17–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kon M, Ikeda T, Homma T, Suzuki Y (2012) Effects of low-intensity resistance exercise under acute systemic hypoxia on hormonal responses. J Strength Cond Res 26:611–617

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kon M, Ohiwa N, Honda A, Matsubayashi T, Ikeda T, Akimoto T, Suzuki Y, Hirano Y, Russell AP (2014). Effects of systemic hypoxia on human muscular adaptations to resistance exercise training. Physiol. Rep. doi:10.14814/phy2.12033

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Manimmanakorn A, Hamlin MJ, Ross JJ, Taylor R, Manimmanakorn N (2013) Effects of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction or hypoxia on muscle function and performance in netball athletes. J Sci Med Sport 16:337–342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna MJ, Heigenhauser GJ, McKelvie RS, MacDougall JD, Jones NL (1997) Sprint training enhances ionic regulation during intense exercise in men. J Physiol 501(3):687–702

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna MJ, Bangsbo J, Renaud JM (2008) Muscle K+, Na+, and Cl−disturbances and Na+–K+ pump inactivation: implications for fatigue. J Appl Physiol 104(1):288–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLellan TM, Kavanagh MF, Jacobs I (1990) The effect of hypoxia on performance during 30-S or 45-S of supramaximal exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 60(2):155–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves JT, Mazzeo RS, Wolfel EE, Young AJ (1992) Increased arterial pressure after acclimatization to 4300 m: possible role of norepinephrine. Int J Sports Med 13(Suppl 1):S18–S21

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson RS, Duteil S, Wary C (2006) Human skeletal muscle intracellular oxygenation: the impact of ambient oxygen availability. J Physiol 571(2):415–424

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Romero-Arenas S, Blazevich AJ, Martínez-Pascual M, Pérez-Gómez J, Luque AJ, López-Román FJ, Alcaraz PE (2013) Effects of high-resistance circuit training in an elderly population. Exp Gerontol 48:334–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scott BR, Slattery KM, Sculley DV, Hodson JA, Dascombe BJ (2015a) Physical performance during high-intensity resistance exercise in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. J Strength Cond Res 29:807–815

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scott BR, Slattery KM, Dascombe BJ (2015b) Intermittent hypoxic resistance training: Is metabolic stress the key moderator? Med Hypoth 84(2):145–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott BR, Slattery KM, Sculley DV, Lockhart C, Dascombe BJ (2016) Acute physiological responses to moderate-load resistance exercise in hypoxia. J Strength Cond Res. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001649

    Google Scholar 

  • Sejersted OM, Sjøgaard G (2000) Dynamics and consequences of potassium shifts in skeletal muscle and heart during exercise. Physiol Rev 80(4):1411–1481

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sostaric SM, Skinner SL, Brown MJ, Sangkabutra T, Medved I, Medley T, Selig S, Fairweather I, Rutar D, McKenna MJ (2006) Alkalosis increases muscle K + release, but lowers plasma [K+] and delays fatigue during dynamic forearm exercise. J physiol 570(1):185–205

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Street D, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J, Juel C (2005) Metabolic alkalosis reduces exercise-induced acidosis and potassium accumulation in human skeletal muscle interstitium. J physiol 566(2):481–489

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zoll J, Ponsot E, Dufour S, Doutreleau S, Ventura-Clapier R, Vogt M, Hoppeler H, Richard R, Flück M (2006) Exercise training in normobaric hypoxia in endurance runners III. Muscular adjustments of selected gene transcripts. J Appl Physiol 100(4):1258–1266

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Arturo Camacho and Antonio Martínez-Garrido for their help during the testing sessions and all the athletes who participated in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Activity and Sport Science, Sport Science Faculty, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Domingo J. Ramos-Campo, Jacobo A. Rubio-Arias, Linda Chung & Pedro E. Alcaraz

  2. UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Murcia, Spain

    Domingo J. Ramos-Campo, Jacobo A. Rubio-Arias, Linda Chung & Pedro E. Alcaraz

  3. Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Strasbourg, EA 3072, Strasbourg, France

    Stéphane Dufour

  4. Department of Physiology, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Vicente Ávila-Gandía

Authors
  1. Domingo J. Ramos-Campo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jacobo A. Rubio-Arias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stéphane Dufour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Linda Chung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vicente Ávila-Gandía
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Pedro E. Alcaraz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Domingo J. Ramos-Campo.

Additional information

Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ramos-Campo, D.J., Rubio-Arias, J.A., Dufour, S. et al. Biochemical responses and physical performance during high-intensity resistance circuit training in hypoxia and normoxia. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 809–818 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3571-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3571-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation