Resistance exercise to failure and non-failure in hypoxia reduces muscle oxygenation, without impacting on exercise performance. However, hypoxia does not increase muscle activation compared to the equivalent exercise in normoxia. It is proposed that resistance training in hypoxia can augment muscular adaptations more so than normoxic training. This is likely due to a more anaerobic muscular environment causing increased muscle activation. However, the effect of different exercise protocols on these responses is unknown. This study compared acute muscle oxygenation and activation responses to resistance exercise in hypoxia and normoxia when sets are performed to failure or not.
© Copyright 2019 Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning. Australian Strength and Conditioning Association. All rights reserved.