INTRODUCTION: Biathlon is a complex sport discipline, that in addition to a high endurance capacity and efficient skiing technique, demands accurate shooting performed directly after intense exercise. Scientific evidence suggests that hypoxia training increases exercise performance and high altitude acclimatization. The physiological mechanisms responsible for these benefits include improvements in cardiovascular hemodynamics, oxygen transport and beneficial changes in immune system. The aim of the present study was to examine the acute effect of endurance training under normobaric hypoxia on physical functioning and biomarkers of muscle fatigue in biathlon junior athletes. METHODS: Twelve biathlon junior athletes (aged 16.4 ± 2.1 years) completed a 3-week training programme in normobaric hypoxia (HypTr) (FiO2=15.2 %). HypTr sessions consisting of an arm cycling exercise with an intensity of 150.0 ± 34.0 Watts (SkiErgo Cocept 2 USA) and running intervals (13.0 ± 1.0 km/h) (Matrix Jeager HP, Cosmos, Germany) with intensity calculated individually for each athletes. Spiroergometry and biomarkers of muscle fatigue were performed before and after the end of the training protocol. RESULTS: An increase in maximal oxygen uptake (55.6 ± 8.8 vs. 58.5 ± 8.5 mL/kg/min) and the absolute power output during arm exercise test (257.0 ± 63.5 vs. 272.5 ± 60.2, p<0.01) were observed in response to exercise training in hypoxia. HypTr has significant effect on hemoglobin (F=5.0 p<0.05), myoglobin concentrations (F=4.8 p<0.05), creatine kinas activity (F=7.4 p<0.01) and transforming growth factor ß levels (F=8.2 p<0.01). Training in hypoxia has little effect on antioxidant status with a favourable changes in proinflammatory cytokines levels. CONCLUSION: Exercise training in normobaric hypoxia had a significant positive effect on the physical performance and concentration of the specific fatigue biomarkers, therefore it may play a crucial role in the physiological adaptive mechanisms in biathlon junior athletes.
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