Studies of adaptation to hypoxic-hyperoxic stress in paralympic athletes: a comparative randomized study

INTRODUCTION. The present publication examines the effects of interval hypoxic-hyperoxic training, implemented in rehabilitation programmes for Paralympic athletes with musculoskeletal disorders. The restorative effect of individually dosed hypoxic and hyperoxygenic load is aimed at activating the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body to transport oxygen and maintain cellular-mitochondrial stages of energy metabolism. AIM. To determine the effectiveness of the hypoxic-hyperoxic method for rehabilitation in Paralympic athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 30 male Paralympic athletes, aged between 30 and 35 years and exhibiting motor impairments due to paralysis and paresis, were examined. The study was conducted at Sergiyevsk Mineral Waters Medical Rehabilitation Centre in 2023. The participants were divided into two groups: the main group (MG) and the control group (CG). Each group consisted of 15 individuals with similar nosological, gender, and age characteristics. Paralympic athletes with musculoskeletal disorders competed in the following disciplines: boccia — 10 male Paralympians (33 %), badminton — 8 male Paralympians (27 %), orienteering — 12 Paralympians (40 %). The rehabilitation programme in the MG included dosed hypoxic and hyperoxic loads to improve the functional capabilities of the body. RESULTS. The findings demonstrated that the increase in the total duration of the hyperoxic phase (in minutes) within a single cycle of exposure in the MG at the beginning of the study was 14.47 ± 0.35, while at the end of the study this figure increased to 17.49 ± 0.26. Furthermore, the correction time for hypoxia (in minutes) decreased from 7.06 ± 0.40 to 6.28 ± 0.01. In addition, the minimum indicator of blood oxygen saturation, SpO2, exhibited an increase, with the average value at the beginning of the study being 81 %, and increasing to 85 % at the end of the study. Similarly, the maximum indicator of blood oxygen saturation, SpO2, also increased, with the average value at the beginning of the study being 96 %, and increasing to 100 % at the end of the study. Moreover, the minimum pulse rate decreased, with the average value for the duration of the procedure decreasing from 71 beats per minute to 62 beats per minute. DISCUSSION. It is evident that Paralympic athletes in the main group, who received training effects on the body by varying the oxygen content of the breathing mixture, appear to have increased adaptive reserves. The study demonstrates that the hypoxic-hyperoxic interval training method can enhance the training effect and improve the functional state of Paralympic athletes. CONCLUSION. The findings of the study, which examined the effectiveness of alternating hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions on the bodies of Paralympic athletes, established the positive effects of this method. After completing a course of interval hypoxic-hyperoxic training, the main group demonstrated improved functional changes in the cardiorespiratory system.