Athletic, muscular and hormonal evaluation in CrossFit® athletes using the “Elevation Training Mask”

Introduction: The possibility of performing intense workouts without falling into states of chronic fatigue stimulates the use of devices that improve muscular and hormonal functionality in athletes. The Elevation Training Mask (Training Mask LLC) (ETM) allows the application of hypoxia during exercise. The ETM is integrated into training routines increasing the physical stimulus to improve performance. Objective: We evaluated the impact of ETM on Workouts of the Day (WODs), muscular and hormonal behavior in Crossfit® athletes. Material and method: Prospective cohort study. During 12 weeks 20 Crossfit® athletes trained 60 minutes 3 days a week were randomly divided into 2 groups, control group (CG) (n=10) and ETM group (EG) (n=10) applying an additional progressive simulated altitude between 914 and 2743 meters. WODs (press, squat, deadlift, total CF and grace), macular markers: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); creatine kinase (CK); myoglobin (Mb) and hormones: testosterone (T); cortisol (C), were evaluated at 2 time points of the study: day 1 (T1) and day 84 (T2). Results: All WODs and parameters LDH, CK, Mb, T and C showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the time group interaction. In EG, a substantially lower percentage change (Δ) between T1 and T2 was observed in Mb (-16.01±25.82%), CK (6.16±26.05%) and C (-0.18±4.01%) than in CG (Mb: -094±4.39%; CK: 17.98±27.19%; C: 4.56±3.44%). The Δ T1-T2 in the WODs were similar. Conclusion: After 12 weeks of training under simulated hypoxia conditions with ETM there are no improvements in athletic performance assessed by WODs. However, the greater tendency to decrease Mb, CK and C, after using ETM, could stimulate recovery and indicate a lower muscle catabolism of the Crossfit® athlete in the long term.