Review of Body Physiological Stress and Strength Adaptation Resulting from Hypoxic Resistance Training

The application of hypoxic resistance training(HRT) in sports training has attracted lots of attention. A bout of HRT induces body physiological stresses, and muscle undergoes adaptative remodeling upon long-term HRT. This study reviewed the present HRT studies and compared the advantages between HRT and normoxic resistance training, and then the model of HRT was classified, the alterations of metabolites, anabolic hormones, muscular strength, integrated electromyogram, perceived fatigue and other variables were analyzed. This review also suggested the potential mechanisms of the training effects. Previous studies indicated that resistance training experience had no impact on the efficacy of HRT. In the long-term training intervention, low and moderate intensity HRT(12% to 16% oxygen concentration) increased strength significantly than that of normoxic resistance training and the training period should be maintained at least 5 weeks. In one bout training model, moderate intensity HRT of upper and lower limbs combination type may induce more body stresses and anabolic hormone secretion than normoxic resistance training.Previous studies suggested that HRT has the potential advantage over normoxic resistance training regarding of the enhanced body stresses and strength gains. In the future research, the exercise intensity, interval time, training period and biological mechanisms of HRT should be investigated in order to improve HRT model and training effect.