COMBINED PHYSICAL AND HYPOXIC EXERCISES – A PERSPECTIVE DRUG-FREE METHOD FOR INCREASING PHYSICAL WORKING CAPACITY

Abstract

Aim. The paper aims to increase physical working capacity through intensive muscle training in normobaric hypoxia. Materials and methods. The training programs included 15 cycles of a 3-hour stay of volunteers in a normobaric hypoxic chamber, where they performed physical activity on an exercise bike and a treadmill. The power was set at 70–100 W with a duration of 120–140 min with several breaks. Participants of the main group (14 males aged 19–23 years) were subjected to training under low (up to 16–17 %) oxygen concentration conditions in the gas environment. In the control group (10 people of the same age), hypoxic conditions were simulated. Physical working capacity was controlled by the Ruffier test and bicycle ergometer test to anaerobic threshold, as well as the breath-holding test. Results. Essential increase of physical working capacity was established only in the main group, and positive tendencies in all functional tests remained in remote supervision. Conclusion. Consequently, the method based on a rational combination of physical and normobaric hypoxic training can be considered as an effective and safe means of increasing the physical working capacity of a person engaged in intensive muscle training.