The Effect of 8 Weeks of Repetitive Sprint Training in Hypoxia and Normoxia Conditions on Swimming Record in Female Elite Swimmers

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 8 weeks of repetitive sprint training in hypoxia and normoxia conditions on swimming record of female elite swimmers. The subjects included 30 female elite swimmers who were randomly divided into 3 groups (each group 10 subjects): 2 experimental groups (hypoxia and) and one control group. Training protocol was administered to both experimental groups for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week with swimming ergometer and 3 sessions in the swimming pool. The protocol was designed for both experimental groups with similar intensity and duration (nine 30-sec. attempts at the intensity of 80% of maximum performance with two minutes of rest) on swimming ergometer. Hypoxia group performed the training in hypoxia condition with %14 of Fio2. The control group had only 5 session of regular swimming in the pool. Results were analyzed using ANOVA at P≤0.05. The results showed that 8 weeks of repeated sprint training improved 100 m swimming record (P=0.013) and 200 m swimming record (P=0.009) in hypoxic condition compared with normoxia condition.