Effect of Twelve-Week hypoxic interval training on lung volumes and records of elite swimmers in ۵۰ and ۱۰۰ meters breaststroke

Introduction: Holding the breath during exercise causes hypoxia. This study set out to investigate the effect of the ۱۲-week hypoxic interval training on lung volume and records of elite swimmers in ۵۰ and ۱۰۰ meters breaststroke. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, ۲۲ male swimmers were randomly divided into the hypoxic interval training group (n: ۱۳; age: ۱۶.۶۱±۱.۳۹ years; height: ۱۷۷.۹۲±۱.۹۴ cm; weight ۷۰.۱۷±۳.۵۵kg) and normal training group (n: ۹; age: ۱۶.۶۷±۱.۱۶ years; height: ۱۷۶.۳۳±۵.۲۴cm; weight ۶۷.۸۳±۴.۲۴kg). The hypoxic interval training program included ۳-۸ sets of ۲۵-۲۰۰ m breaststroke and the butterfly (breathing every ۴-۶ strokes), six-time per week for ۱۲ weeks. The normal training routine performed without breath-holding (breathing every ۲ strokes). The FIVC, FEV۱, FVC, and FIV۱ parameters, as well as records in ۵۰m and ۱۰۰m swimming were measured pre- and post-training. The obtained data was analyzed with ANCOVA (P<۰.۰۵). Results: Swimmers' records in both ۵۰ m and ۱۰۰ m swimming scenarios significantly decreased after the application of the hypoxic interval training program. The FIVC, FEV۱, FVC, and FIV۱ parameters significantly increased only after the hypoxic training (P<۰.۰۵); in addition, the post-training values of these variables were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group (P<۰.۰۵). However, no significant change was observed in the values of these variables in the normal training group (control). Conclusion: It seems that the ۱۲-week hypoxic interval training program can increase the lung volume and improve the records of the elite swimmers in ۵۰m and ۱۰۰m breaststroke.