IHHT preconditioning reduced muscle soreness and damage markers (CK, Mb) following intense resistance training in young male athletes.

“IHHT preconditioning reduced muscle damage following intense resistance training Double-blind, randomized, crossover study involving 11 young male athletes. Intervention (Pre-exercise): Participants completed either a Normoxia (N) trial or a Hypoxia–Hyperoxia (IHHT) trial. Normoxia: Participants breathed air with 21% oxygen. IHHT: Participants alternated between hypoxic (10% O2) and hyperoxic (99% O2, HBOT level) air for 5 minutes each, totaling 60 minutes. Exercise: Thirty minutes after preconditioning, participants performed acute bouts of resistance exercise (RE) consisting of bench press, deadlift, and squats. Each exercise involved 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 2 minutes of rest between sets. Washout Period: A 2-week washout period followed, after which participants crossed over to the other intervention. Key findings Muscle soreness and damage (indicated by CK and Mb levels) were significantly lower post-exercise following IHHT preconditioning compared to normoxia. The inflammatory marker IL-6 was higher with IHHT, possibly as part of the hypoxia-hyperoxia stress response.”