Research article - (2015)14, 857 - 863
A Clustered Repeated-Sprint Running Protocol for Team-Sport Athletes Performed in Normobaric Hypoxia
Jaime Morrison1,, Chris McLellan2, Clare Minahan3
1Griffith University Sports Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
2Bond University, QLD, Australia
3Griffith University Sports Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Jaime Morrison
✉ Griffith University Sports Science, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD. 4222, Australia
Email: jaime.morrison@griffithuni.edu.au
Received: 04-04-2015 -- Accepted: 21-10-2015
Published (online): 24-11-2015

ABSTRACT

The present study compared the performance (peak speed, distance, and acceleration) of ten amateur team-sport athletes during a clustered (i.e., multiple sets) repeated-sprint protocol, (4 sets of 4, 4-s running sprints; i.e., RSR444) in normobaric normoxia (FiO2 = 0.209; i.e., RSN) with normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.140; i.e., RSH). Subjects completed two separate trials (i. RSN, ii. RSH; randomised order) between 48 h and 72 h apart on a non-motorized treadmill. In addition to performance, we examined blood lactate concentration [La-] and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) before, during, and after the RSR444. While there were no differences in peak speed or distance during set 1 or set 2, peak speed (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively) and distance (p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively) were greater during set 3 and set 4 of RSN compared with RSH. There was no difference in the average acceleration achieved in set 1 (p = 0.45), set 2 (p = 0.26), or set 3 (p = 0.23) between RSN and RSH; however, the average acceleration was greater in RSN than RSH in set 4 (p < 0.01). Measurements of [La-] were higher during RSH than RSN immediately after Sprint 16 (10.2 ± 2.5 vs 8.6 ± 2.6 mM; p = 0.02). Estimations of SpO2 were lower during RSH than RSN, respectively, immediately prior to the commencement of the test (89.0 ± 2.0 vs 97.2 ± 1.5 %), post Sprint 8 (78.0 ± 6.3 vs 93.8 ± 3.6 %) and post Sprint 16 (75.3 ± 6.3 vs 94.5 ± 2.5 %; all p < 0.01). In summary, the RSR444 is a practical protocol for the implementation of a hypoxic repeated-sprint training intervention into the training schedules of team-sport athletes. However, given the inability of amateur team-sport athletes to maintain performance in hypoxic (FiO2 = 0.140) conditions, the potential for specific training outcomes (i.e. speed) to be achieved will be compromised, thus suggesting that the RSR444 should be used with caution.

Key words: Acceleration, altitude, football, multiple-set

Key Points
  • The RSR444 is a practical, multiple-set repeated-sprint running protocol designed for team-sport athletes.
  • During performance of the RSR444 in hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.140), amateur team-sport athletes were unable to replicate the peak speed, distance covered or acceleration achieved in the final set(s) during sprints in normoxia.
  • A decrease in SpO2 and an increase in [La-] were observed during performance of the RSR444 in hypoxia, compared with normoxia.








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