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Effects of Breath-Hold vs Standard Interval Training on Fitness in Mountaineers

16 de julho de 2026 atualizado por: Mohammadreza Rezaeipour, MD, PhD

Effects of Mild Voluntary Hypoventilation During Progressive Interval Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Recreational Mountaineers: A Clinical Trial

This study investigated whether adding structured breath-holds to standard interval training improves cardiorespiratory fitness in recreational mountaineers more than interval training alone. Twenty-four male recreational mountaineers participated in an 8-week progressive treadmill interval training program. Participants were divided into two groups: a controlled-breathing group that performed structured mid-tidal breath-holds during training, and a free-breathing group that maintained unrestricted breathing. The primary outcomes measured were resting heart rate and estimated maximal oxygen uptake, along with secondary measures including blood pressure and pulmonary function indices. The study aimed to determine if this mild voluntary hypoventilation technique provides additional physiological benefits for altitude preparation.

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Concluído

Condições

Intervenção / Tratamento

Descrição detalhada

Recreational mountaineers often train at low altitudes without access to specialized hypoxic facilities. While intermittent hypoxic training is an established preparation strategy, the required equipment is costly and inaccessible. Voluntary hypoventilation training (VHT), which involves deliberate breath-holds during exercise, has been proposed as a low-cost alternative. However, its efficacy at producing mild desaturation levels suitable for recreational settings had not been established.

This retrospective clinical trial evaluated the effects of mild VHT on cardiorespiratory fitness. Twenty-four male recreational mountaineers completed a progressive 8-week treadmill interval training program (24 sessions, 65-85% heart rate reserve) between September and November 2023. Participants were allocated to either a controlled-breathing (CB) group or a free-breathing (FB) group. The CB group performed structured mid-tidal breath-holds synchronized to an electronic metronome during approximately 25% of the main training phase, targeting a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) nadir of 92-94%. The FB group completed the identical exercise protocol with unrestricted breathing, maintaining SpO₂ at or above 97%.

Physiological assessments were conducted at baseline and within 48 hours post-intervention. Measurements included resting cardiovascular parameters (heart rate and blood pressure), estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) via a modified Bruce treadmill protocol, and comprehensive pulmonary function testing (spirometry). Continuous SpO₂ monitoring was utilized during all training sessions to ensure protocol adherence and participant safety.

Tipo de estudo

Intervencional

Inscrição (Real)

24

Estágio

  • Não aplicável

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Locais de estudo

  • Irã
    • Sistan and Baluchestan
      • Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Irã, 98135-986
        • Sport Sciences Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Sim

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male recreational mountaineers aged 25 to 35 years.
  • A minimum of 6 months of mountaineering experience with at least 3 sessions per month.
  • Willingness to attend at least 85% of the scheduled training sessions.
  • Negative responses to all items on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Current smoking.
  • Use of medications affecting heart rate or blood pressure.
  • Prior experience with structured hypoxic or breath-hold training.

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

  • Finalidade Principal: Outro
  • Alocação: Não randomizado
  • Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição Paralela
  • Mascaramento: Solteiro

Armas e Intervenções

Grupo de Participantes / Braço
Intervenção / Tratamento
Experimental: Controlled-Breathing (CB) Group
Participants completed 24 supervised treadmill interval sessions over 8 weeks (65-85% heart rate reserve). During approximately 25% of the main training phase, participants performed structured mid-tidal breath-holds synchronized to an electronic metronome (progressing from 3-count to 6-count cycles), targeting a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) nadir of 92-94%.
Comportamental: Voluntary Hypoventilation Training
A breathing maneuver consisting of structured mid-tidal breath-holds synchronized to an electronic metronome to induce mild voluntary hypoventilation (target SpO₂ nadir 92-94%) during physical exertion.
Outros nomes:
  • VHT; Breath-Hold Training
Comportamental: Progressive Treadmill Interval Training
A cardiovascular exercise protocol involving supervised treadmill sessions with progressive increases in intensity (65-85% heart rate reserve) and duration (30-45 minutes) over an 8-week period.
Outros nomes:
  • Interval Training; Treadmill Exercise
Comparador Ativo: Free-Breathing (FB) Group
Participants completed the identical 24 supervised treadmill interval sessions over 8 weeks (65-85% heart rate reserve) with unrestricted breathing throughout all sessions. Continuous SpO₂ monitoring confirmed values remained at or above 97%.
Comportamental: Progressive Treadmill Interval Training
A cardiovascular exercise protocol involving supervised treadmill sessions with progressive increases in intensity (65-85% heart rate reserve) and duration (30-45 minutes) over an 8-week period.
Outros nomes:
  • Interval Training; Treadmill Exercise

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Resting Heart Rate
Prazo: Baseline (within 48 hours before the first training session) and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Resting heart rate (beats per minute) recorded using a 12-lead electrocardiograph after 10 minutes of seated rest in a quiet, temperature-controlled room. The mean value from the final 2 minutes is used for analysis.
Baseline (within 48 hours before the first training session) and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Estimated Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max)
Prazo: Baseline (within 48 hours before the first training session) and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Estimated VO2max (mL·kg-¹·min-¹) determined using a modified Bruce treadmill protocol until volitional exhaustion. It is calculated from total treadmill time (in minutes) using the Foster equation.
Baseline (within 48 hours before the first training session) and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Systolic Blood Pressure
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured in triplicate using an automated oscillometric monitor; the average of 3 measurements is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured in triplicate using an automated oscillometric monitor; the average of 3 measurements is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Tidal Volume (TV)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Tidal volume (L) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Vital Capacity (VC)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Vital capacity (L) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Vital capacity (L) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (L) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Peak expiratory flow (L/s) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (L/s) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
Prazo: Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).
Maximum voluntary ventilation (L/min) measured via calibrated spirometry; the highest value from three technically acceptable maneuvers is retained.
Baseline and post-intervention (within 48 hours after the final 8-week training session).

Colaboradores e Investigadores

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Patrocinador

Mohammadreza Rezaeipour, MD, PhD

Colaboradores

Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation of Sistan and Baluchestan Province
General Directorate of Sports and Youth of Sistan and Baluchestan Province

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Mohammadreza Rezaeipour, MD, PhD, University of Sistan and Baluchestan

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Real)

30 de setembro de 2023

Conclusão Primária (Real)

30 de novembro de 2023

Conclusão do estudo (Real)

30 de novembro de 2023

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

9 de julho de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

9 de julho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

14 de julho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

20 de julho de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

16 de julho de 2026

Última verificação

1 de julho de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Palavras-chave

Outros números de identificação do estudo

  • IR.USB.REC.1402.013

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

Planeja compartilhar dados de participantes individuais (IPD)?

SIM

Descrição do plano IPD

The de-identified dataset and full study protocol are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Prazo de Compartilhamento de IPD

Without end date

Critérios de acesso de compartilhamento IPD

Available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Tipo de informação de suporte de compartilhamento de IPD

  • PROTOCOLO DE ESTUDO

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Essas informações foram obtidas diretamente do site clinicaltrials.gov sem nenhuma alteração. Se você tiver alguma solicitação para alterar, remover ou atualizar os detalhes do seu estudo, entre em contato com register@clinicaltrials.gov. Assim que uma alteração for implementada em clinicaltrials.gov, ela também será atualizada automaticamente em nosso site .

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