Effect of a high-intensity short-duration cycling elevation training mask on <(V)over dot>O2max and anaerobic power. A randomized controlled trial

This study investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) cycling elevation training mask (ETM) in moderately trained participants on both aerobic (<(V)over dot>O-2max) and anaerobic power performance. Sixteen participants, five females (25.8 +/- 7.6 years) and eleven males (22.2 +/- 3.5 years) took part in this randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to the experimental group (ETM, n = 8 participants) wearing an ETM or the control group (CON, n = 8 participants) without the ETM. <(V)over do+-t>O-2max was determined during a standardized protocol using Cortex Metalyzer-3B on a cycle ergometer. Peak and average power were calculated a 30-second Wingate test. Participants completed 4-weeks (two sessions a week) of high-intensity cycle training. Each training session consisting of 4 separate bouts of 4-minutes of high-intensity cycling exercise. After the training period, ETM reported an increment in <(V)over dot>O-2max (effect size (d) = 1.19), peak power (d = 0.77), and average power (d = 0.76). CON reported an increment only in <(V)over dot>O-2max (d = 1.00). No-between group differences were found in any parameter (ANCOVA), therefore the two protocols should be considered equally effective. In conclusion, this study reported that both HIIT protocols significantly enhance <(V)over dot>O-2max in a very short training period (4 weeks).