Effects of high-intensity interval training under hypoxic conditions on energy system performance in collegiate football players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.115923Keywords:
aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, football conditioning, hypoxic training, interval trainingAbstract
Introduction: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is widely recognized for enhancing athletic performance. However, whether simulated hypoxic conditions amplify the physiological effects of HIIT especially in sports like football that rely on multiple energy systems, remains underexplored.
Objective: To investigate whether simulated hypoxic HIIT elicits greater improvements in aerobic and anaerobic performance compared to normoxic HIIT and standard training in collegiate football players.
Methodology: Twenty-four male collegiate football players were randomly assigned to three groups: Hypoxic HIIT, Normoxic HIIT, or Control. Over a four-week intervention period, the experimental groups engaged in sport-specific HIIT under their respective environmental conditions, while all participants continued standard team training. Pre- and post-training assessments included VO₂max, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), and 30-meter flying sprint.
Results: The Hypoxic HIIT group showed significant improvements in VO₂max and Yo-Yo IR1 distance (p < 0.01), with moderate gains in RAST peak power. Minimal changes were observed in ATP-PC system performance. These adaptations exceeded those observed in the Normoxic and Control groups.
Discussion: The findings indicate that hypoxic stress provides an additive stimulus to aerobic conditioning. This aligns with existing literature on the role of hypoxia in enhancing oxygen transport, mitochondrial function, and endurance capacity.
Conclusions: Simulated hypoxic HIIT effectively enhances aerobic capacity and selectively improves anaerobic performance. It represents a time-efficient and evidence-based conditioning strategy for competitive football.
References
Archacki, D., Zieliński, J., Pospieszna, B., Włodarczyk, M., & Kusy, K. (2024). The contribution of energy systems during 15-second sprint exercise in athletes of different sports specializa-tions. PeerJ, 12, e17863. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17863
Berlian, G., Tandrasasmita, O. M., & Tjandrawinata, R. R. (2019). Upregulation of endogenous erythropoietin expression by DLBS6747, a bioactive fraction of Ipomoea batatas L. leaves, via increasing HIF1α transcription factor in HEK293 kidney cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 235, 190-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.016
Bonilla, D. A., Pérez-Idárraga, A., Odriozola-Martínez, A., & Kreider, R. B. (2021). The 4r’s framework of nutritional strategies for post-exercise recovery: A review with emphasis on new gen-eration of carbohydrates. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010103
Brocherie, F., Girard, O., Faiss, R., & Millet, G. P. (2015). High-intensity intermittent training in hypoxia: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled field study in youth football players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(1), 226-237. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000590
Camacho-Cardenosa, M., Camacho-Cardenosa, A., Guardado, M., Marcos-Serrano, M., Timon, R., & Olci-na, G. (2016). A new dose of maximal-intensity interval training in hypoxia to improve body composition and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels: a pilot study. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57(1-2), 60-69. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.16.06549-x
Cardinale, D. A., Larsen, F. J., Lännerström, J., Manselin, T., Södergård, O., Mijwel, S., ... & Boushel, R. (2019). Influence of hyperoxic-supplemented high-intensity interval training on hemotological and muscle mitochondrial adaptations in trained cyclists. Frontiers in physiolo-gy, 10, 730. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00730.
Feito, Y., Heinrich, K. M., Butcher, S. J., & Poston, W. S. C. (2018). High-intensity functional training (HIFT): definition and research implications for improved fitness. Sports, 6(3), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6030076
Ferguson, R. A., Mitchell, E. A., Taylor, C. W., Bishop, D. J., & Christiansen, D. (2021). Blood‐flow‐restricted exercise: Strategies for enhancing muscle adaptation and performance in the endurance‐trained athlete. Experimental Physiology, 106(4), 837-860. https://doi.org/10.1113/ep089280
Girard, O., Brocherie, F., & Millet, G. (2017). Effects of Altitude/Hypoxia on Single- and Multiple-Sprint Performance: A Comprehensive Review. Sports Medicine, 47, 1931-1949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0733-z.
Guardado, I., Ureña, B., Cardenosa, A., Cardenosa, M., Camacho, G., & Andrada, R. (2020). Effects of strength training under hypoxic conditions on muscle performance, body composition and haematological variables. Biology of Sport, 37(2), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.93037
Hagiwara, M., Yamagishi, T., Okamoto, S., Azuma, Y., & Yamashita, D. (2023). Short‐term repeated sprint training in hypoxia improves explosive power production capacity and repeated sprint ability in Japanese international‐level male fencers: A case study. Physiological Reports, 11(6), e15637. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.15637.
Hirota, K. (2020). Basic biology of hypoxic responses mediated by the transcription factor HIFs and its implication for medicine. Biomedicines, 8(2), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8020032
Hostrup, M., & Bangsbo, J. (2023). Performance adaptations to intensified training in top-level football. Sports Medicine, 53(3), 577-594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01791-z
Ito, S. (2019). High-intensity interval training for health benefits and care of cardiac diseases-the key to an efficient exercise protocol. World journal of cardiology, 11(7), 171. https://doi.org/10.4330/wjc.v11.i7.171
Kavanagh R, McDaid K, Rhodes D, Connor M, Oliveira R, et al. (2023) The Relationship between VO2 max and 1200m Shuttle Run Performance in Elite Academy Football Players. Int J Sports Ex-erc Med 9:261. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5718/1510261.
Kim, S. W., Jung, W. S., Kim, J. W., Nam, S. S., & Park, H. Y. (2021). Aerobic continuous and interval train-ing under hypoxia enhances endurance exercise performance with hemodynamic and au-tonomic nervous system function in amateur male swimmers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3944. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083944
Krammer, U. D., Sommer, A., Tschida, S., Mayer, A., Lilja, S. V., Switzeny, O. J., ... & Haslberger, A. G. (2022). PGC-1α methylation, miR-23a, and miR-30e expression as biomarkers for exer-cise-and diet- induced mitochondrial biogenesis in capillary blood from healthy Individuals: A single-arm intervention. Sports, 10(5), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports10050073
Kusuma, I. D. M. A. W., Fahrudin, M. F., Pramono, B. A., Pranoto, A., Artanayasa, I. W., Satyawan, I. M., Kusuma, K. C. A., & Himawan, A. (2025). The effect of large-sided games with HIIT pro-tocol on the anaerobic ability of student futsal players. Retos, 64, 678–685. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v64.109 828
Lanfranchi, C., Willis, S. J., Laramée, L., Conde Alonso, S., Pialoux, V., Kayser, B., ... & Zanou, N. (2024). Repeated sprint training in hypoxia induces specific skeletal muscle adaptations through S100A protein signaling. The FASEB Journal, 38(8), e23615. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202302084RR
Maciejczyk, M., Palka, T., Wiecek, M., Szymura, J., Kusmierczyk, J., Bawelski, M., ... & Szygula, Z. (2023). Effects of intermittent hypoxic training on aerobic capacity and second ventilatory threshold in untrained men. Applied Sciences, 13(17), 9954. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179954
Mahatme, S., Vaishali, K., Kumar, N., Rao, V., Kovela, R. K., & Sinha, M. K. (2022). Impact of high-intensity interval training on cardio-metabolic health outcomes and mitochondrial function in older adults: a review. Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 95(2), 115.
https://doi.org/10.15386/mpr-2201
Mangano, G. D., Fouani, M., D’Amico, D., Di Felice, V., & Barone, R. (2022). Cancer-related cachexia: the vicious circle between inflammatory cytokines, skeletal muscle, lipid metabolism and the possible role of physical training. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(6), 3004. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063004
Marques Neto, S. R., Castiglione, R. C., da Silva, T. C., Paes, L. D. S., Pontes, A., Oliveira, D. F., ... & Bouskela, E. (2020). Effects of high intensity interval training on neuro-cardiovascular dynamic changes and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by high-fat diet in rats. Plos one, 15(10), e0240060. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240060
Martin-Smith, R., Cox, A., Buchan, D. S., Baker, J. S., Grace, F., & Sculthorpe, N. (2020). High intensity in-terval training (HIIT) improves cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in healthy, overweight and obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled stud-ies. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(8), 2955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082955
Michailidis, Y. (2024). The relationship between aerobic capacity, anthropometric characteristics, and performance in the yo-yo intermittent recovery test among elite young football play-ers: Differences between playing positions. Applied Sciences, 14(8), 3413. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083413.
Neporadna, N. I., & Popel, S. L. (2019). Changes in the oxygen transport system of erythrocytes in test-ing the general endurance of students. Pedagogics, psychology, medical-biological prob-lems of physical training and sports, (1), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.15561/18189172.2019.0104
Nowak-Lis, A., Gabryś, T., Nowak, Z., Jastrzębski, P., Szmatlan-Gabryś, U., Konarska, A., ... & Pilis, A. (2021). The use of artificial hypoxia in endurance training in patients after myocardial infarction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1633. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041633
Paprancová, A., Šimonek, J., Paška, Ľubomír., Czaková, M., & Krčmár, M. (2025). The impact of running- based high-intensity interval training with changes of direction on physical per-formance of female soccer players. Retos, 65, 262–270. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v65.110 640
Park, H. Y., Kim, J. W., & Nam, S. S. (2022). Metabolic, cardiac, and hemorheological responses to submaximal exercise under light and moderate hypobaric hypoxia in healthy men. Biology, 11(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11010144
Pramkratok, W., Songsupap, T., & Yimlamai, T. (2022). Repeated sprint training under hypoxia im-proves aerobic performance and repeated sprint ability by enhancing muscle deoxygenation and markers of angiogenesis in rugby sevens. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 122, 611 - 622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04861-8
Psarras, I. I., & Bogdanis, G. C. (2024). Physiological Responses and Performance during an Integrated High-Intensity Interval Aerobic and Power Training Protocol. Sports, 12(3), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12030076
Ramadhan, A. R., Alim, A., & Ayudi, A. R. (2022). Intensive and extensive interval training; which is bet-ter against Vo2max football athletes. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 5(12), 3483-3490. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i12-25.
Sanches, A., Guzzoni, V., Miranda, V. C. D. R., Peressim, L. B., Rocha, S., de Lima, P. O., ... & Cunha, T. S. (2021). Recreational training improves cardiovascular adaptations, metabolic profile and mental health of elderly women with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Health Care for Women International, 42(11), 1279-1297. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2020.1821689
Takei, N., Soo, J., Hatta, H., & Girard, O. (2021). Performance, metabolic, and neuromuscular conse-quences of repeated wingates in hypoxia and normoxia: A pilot study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(8), 1208-1212.
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2020-0654.
Thomakos, P., Spyrou, K., Katsikas, C., Geladas, N. D., & Bogdanis, G. C. (2023). Effects of concurrent high- intensity and strength training on muscle power and aerobic performance in young soccer players during the pre-season. Sports, 11(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11030059
Tongwu, Y., & Chuanwei, D. (2025). The effectiveness of metabolic resistance training versus tradition-al cardio on athletic performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 16, 1551645. https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2024.11.0024
Ulupınar, S., Özbay, S., Gençoğlu, C., Franchini, E., Kishalı, N. F., & Ince, I. (2021). Effects of sprint dis-tance and repetition number on energy system contributions in soccer players. Journal of Ex-ercise Science & Fitness, 19(3), 182-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2021.03.003
Viscor, G., Torrella, J. R., Corral, L., Ricart, A., Javierre, C., Pages, T., & Ventura, J. L. (2018). Physiological and biological responses to short-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia exposure: from sports and mountain medicine to new biomedical applications. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 814. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00814
Warnier, G., Benoit, N., Naslain, D., Lambrecht, S., Francaux, M., & Deldicque, L. (2020). Effects of sprint interval training at different altitudes on cycling performance at sea-level. Sports, 8(11), 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8110148
Weng, X., Lin, J., Yuan, Y., Lin, B., Huang, W., Tin, H. T., ... & Chen, H. (2021). Intermittent hypoxia expo-sure helps to restore the reduced hemoglobin concentration during intense exercise training in trained swimmers. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 736108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.736108
Westmacott, A., Sanal-Hayes, N. E., McLaughlin, M., Mair, J. L., & Hayes, L. D. (2022). High-Intensity In-terval Training (HIIT) in Hypoxia Improves Maximal Aerobic Capacity More Than HIIT in normoxia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. International Jour-nal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14261. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114261.
Wing, C., Hart, N. H., Ma’ayah, F., & Nosaka, K. (2022). Physical and technical demands of Australian football: an analysis of maximum ball in play periods. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00405-5
Wu, Z., & Karim, Z. A. (2023). The Effects of Football Specific Anaerobic Training Design on Athletes’ Specific Anaerobic Ability. Int. J. Acad. Res. Bus. Soc. Sci, 13(2), 450-464. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i2/16096
Yamaguchi, K., Kasai, N., Hayashi, N., Yatsutani, H., Girard, O., & Goto, K. (2020). Acute performance and physiological responses to repeated‐sprint exercise in a combined hot and hypoxic environment. Physiological Reports, 8(12), e14466. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14466
Żebrowska, A., Jastrzębski, D., Sadowska-Krępa, E., Sikora, M., & Di Giulio, C. (2019). Comparison of the Effectiveness of High‐Intensity Interval Training in Hypoxia and Normoxia in Healthy Male Volunteers: A Pilot Study. BioMed research international, 2019(1), 7315714. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7315714
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Jukdao Potisaen, Traimit Potisan, Supanithi Khumprommarach
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
