| dc.description.abstract | Elevation training masks (ETM) have become popular in professional & recreationally active populations to enhance performance via purported adaptations associated with high elevation training (HET) and respiratory muscle training (RMT). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of training with (TM) to without (CON) wearing the ETM. 22 healthy recreationally active adults (TM: M=5, F=6; 27.64±0.86 yr; 23.17±0.88 kg∙m-2 | CON: M=5, F=6; 29.91±1.63 yr; 24.75±1.03 kg∙m-2) were recruited & provided consent for this study. VO2max and time to exhaustion (TTE) were assessed (Bruce protocol GXT, with (M-GXT) & without (U-GXT) ETM). Anaerobic endurance was assessed using two consecutive 300-yard shuttle sprints (separated by 5min). Pulmonary function was assessed using a metabolic cart (FVC, MVV, FEV1). Following group assignment (TM and CON), subjects trained 3d/week for 12-weeks alternating between steady state running (Progression: 65->85% VO2max, 30->45min) and intense sprint conditioning every other session with VO2max reassessment following week 6. The TM group performed all sessions wearing the ETM at manufacturer reported simulated altitude of 9,000 ft. A (2)group x (2)time ANCOVA followed by a Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to detect within group and between group differences following training. Type I error set at α=0.05.
Results indicate that CON displayed significantly greater (p<0.05) improvements in VO2max (CON=+6.8±1.2ml•kg-1•min-1; TM=+4.3±1.0ml•kg-1•min-1), U-GXT TTE (CON=+83±9sec.; TM=+63±7sec.) and unmasked sprint performance (CON=-8.43±1.3sec.;
TM=-4.66±0.9sec.). Additionally, %Fat decreased significantly more (p<0.05) among CON subjects (CON=-2.2±0.5%; TM=-1.0±0.3%). There was no significant change between groups in pulmonary function. | en |
