The hypoventilation technique consists of short breath holdings and can be performed in different types of exercise: running, cycling, swimming, rowing, skating, etc.
[3] One of the most famous athletes to have used this method is Emil Zátopek, the Czech long-distance runner, four times Olympic gold medalist and former holder of 18 world records.
While the method advocated by Counsilman attracted a following in some runners and athletics coaches, the results of the studies contradicted the hypotheses put forward by the World of Sport.
Since the middle of the 2000s, a series of studies has been conducted by French researchers of Paris 13 University to propose a new approach to hypoventilation training.
[2] After several weeks of hypoventilation training, physiological adaptations occur that delay the onset of acidosis during a maximal exertion test.
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), the number of red blood cells and the anaerobic threshold were not modified after hypoventilation training.
[citation needed] Another advantage of hypoventilation training is to stimulate the anaerobic metabolism without using high exercise intensities, which are more traumatizing for the locomotor system and therefore increase the risk of injuries.
Athletes who return progressively to their sporting activity after being injured, and who therefore have to protect their muscles, joints and tendons, could train at low or moderate intensity with hypoventilation.