Intermittent hypoxic training explained

Intermittent hypoxic training (IHT), also known as intermittent hypoxic therapy, is a technique aimed at improving human performance by way of adaptation to reduced oxygen.

An IHT session consists of an interval of several minutes breathing hypoxic (low oxygen) air, alternated with intervals breathing ambient (normoxic) or hyperoxic air. The procedure may be repeated several times in variable-length sessions per day, depending on a physician's prescription or a manufacturer's protocol.^[1] Standard practice is for the patient to remain stationary while breathing hypoxic air via a hand-held mask. The therapy is delivered using a hypoxicator during the day time, allowing the dosage to be monitored. Biofeedback can be delivered using a pulse oximeter.

Effects

A number of effects are reported.^{[2] [3]} It is important to differentiate between physiological adaptations to mild hypoxia and re-oxygenation episodes (i.e., the IHT protocol) and frequent nocturnal suffocation awakenings produced by sleep apnea, which might result in various pathologies.^[4]

Applications

IHT has been used to try to improve performance in sports.^[5] and has been used in a number of health conditions.^[6]

See also

• Buteyko method
• Hypoventilation training

Notes and References

1. Navarrete-Opazo . Angela . Mitchell . Gordon S. . Therapeutic potential of intermittent hypoxia: a matter of dose . Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol . 15 November 2014 . 307 . 10 . R1181–R1197 . 10.1152/ajpregu.00208.2014. 25231353 . 4315448 .
2. Book: Manukhina EB, Downey HF, Mallet RT . Oxygen Transport to Tissue XXVII . Formation and Role of Nitric Oxide Stores in Adaptation to Hypoxia . Experimental Biology and Medicine . 231 . 4 . 343–65 . April 2006 . 16565431 . 10.1007/0-387-29540-2_6 . Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology . 978-0-387-29543-5 . https://archive.org/details/oxygentransportt0000inte/page/343 .
3. Gore CJ, Clark SA, Saunders PU . Nonhematological mechanisms of improved sea-level performance after hypoxic exposure . Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise . 39 . 9 . 1600–9 . September 2007 . 17805094 . 10.1249/mss.0b013e3180de49d3. free .
4. Serebrovskaya TV, Manukhina EB, Smith ML, Downey HF, Mallet RT . Intermittent hypoxia: cause of or therapy for systemic hypertension? . Experimental Biology and Medicine . 233 . 6 . 627–50 . June 2008 . 18408145 . 10.3181/0710-MR-267. 20045656 .
5. Levine . BD . Intermittent hypoxic training: fact and fancy. . High Altitude Medicine & Biology . 2002 . 3 . 2 . 177–93 . 10.1089/15270290260131911 . 12162862.
6. Serebrovskaya TV . 28834625 . Intermittent hypoxia research in the former soviet union and the commonwealth of independent States: history and review of the concept and selected applications . High Altitude Medicine & Biology . 3 . 2 . 205–21 . 2002 . 12162864 . 10.1089/15270290260131939.