Table 2: Effects of apnea training on healthy individuals and on athletes.

Researchers

Participants

Protocol

Results

Conclusions

Schagatay, et al. [63]

AP group: 13 M,11 F

CC: 2 M, 9 F

 

 

 

 

Apnea group: 5 M, 4 F

CC: 3 M, 4 F

2-month aerobic gymnastic training programme

 

 

 

 

2-week 5 maximum effort apneas per day with RI 2’ between trials

·     ↑ aerobic power

·     ↑ apneic time

·     Easy-going phase = K

·     No impact on the DR

·     No impact on apneic time in RAs

·     ↑ apneic time

·     ↑ Easy-going phase

·     Stronger DR

·     ↑ apneic time in RA

Training effects are specific to the actual training protocol therefore, apnea training promotes DR characteristics such as bradycardia

Joulia, et al. [59]

8 male triathletes

Repeated apneas of 20 sec with breathing intervals of 40 sec during one hour exercise on cycle ergometer at 30% of their VO2max x 3 times per week for 3 months

Tested for:

·     VO2max & Vth on CErgo

·     Static apnea

·     Dynamic apnea

·     No impact on the performance on the cycle ergometer

Static apnea

·     > ↓ Heart Rate

·     < ↓ pH in blood

·     > ↑ La

·     < oxidative stress

Dynamic apnea

·     0 oxidative stress

Apnea training improves tolerance to hypoxemia, the duration of static apnea and eliminates oxidative stress during dynamic apnea

Lemaitre, et al. [73]

Four male swimmers

3-month apnea training:

·     1 hr cycling x 3 times/week with apneas of 30 sec and a breathing interval of 30 sec

·     Max incremental cycling test

·     Max speed at swimming 50 m freestyle with no breadth

·     ↑ FEV, RCP

·     ↑ VO2 peak

·     Min SaO2

·     No ↑ Vswim

·     ↓ SR

·     ↑ SL

·     ↑ coordination

Apnea training improves:

·     performance in maximal and sub- maximal exercise

·     swimming technique

·     continuous propulsion

Apnea ↓ RPE & RPD scores

 

AP: aerobic power; CC: control group; CERgo: cycle ergometer; CO: cardiac output; DR: diving reflex; F: females; FEV: forced expiratory volume; HCVR: hypercapnic ventilatory response; HR: heart rate; K: unchanged; M: males; Min SAO2: minimal arterial oxygen saturation; RAs: repeated apneas; RCP: respiratory compensation point; RI: rest interval; RPD: rating of perceived dyspnea; RPE: rating of perceived exertion; SL: stroke length (swimming); SR: stroke rate (swimming); Vswim: velocity (swimming); Vth: Ventilatory threshold-absolute oxygen uptake/body weight; >: greater; <: less; ↑: increase; ↓: decrease.