Effects of 2-week intermittent training in hypobaric hypoxia on the aerobic energy metabolism and performance of cycling athletes with disabilities.

Only three athletes were studied, and no inferential statistical analysis was performed, so these are individual case records rather than evidence that the training works. There was no control group, so the athletes could not be compared with athletes who did not receive the program. The athletes received hypobaric hypoxia, complex roller-type cycling training, individualized coaching, heart-rate and workload monitoring, and recommended iron supplements together, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. The participants were national team cyclists with specific disabilities, so the findings may not apply to less trained patients or other disability groups. The outcomes were exercise and sport performance measures, not everyday function, participation, pain, or clinical goals. The authors state that the 2-week program may have been too short to change maximal exercise capacity.

Do not read the faster time trials as proof that hypobaric hypoxia training works. The study included only three athletes, had no control group, and did not use inferential statistics. The athletes also received complex roller-type cycling training, individualized coaching, heart-rate and workload monitoring, and recommended iron supplements, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.