title: Effects of Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Sea-Level Performance: A Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repeated-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) is a recent intervention regarding which numerous studies have reported effects on sea-level physical performance outcomes that are debated. No previous study has performed a meta-analysis of the effects of RSH.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We systematically reviewed the literature and meta-analyzed the effects of RSH versus repeated-sprint training in normoxia (RSN) on key components of sea-level physical performance, i.e., best and mean (all sprint) performance during repeated-sprint exercise and aerobic capacity (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake [[Formula: see text]]).
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed/MEDLINE, SportDiscus®, ProQuest, and Web of Science online databases were searched for original articles-published up to July 2016-assessing changes in physical performance following RSH and RSN. The meta-analysis was conducted to determine the standardized mean difference (SMD) between the effects of RSH and RSN on sea-level performance outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After systematic review, nine controlled studies were selected, including a total of 202 individuals (mean age 22.6 ± 6.1 years; 180 males). After data pooling, mean performance during repeated sprints (SMD = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.02 to 0.93; P = 0.05) was further enhanced with RSH when compared with RSN. Although non-significant, additional benefits were also observed for best repeated-sprint performance (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.89; P = 0.30) and [Formula: see text] (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.61; P = 0.41).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on current scientific literature, RSH induces greater improvement for mean repeated-sprint performance during sea-level repeated sprinting than RSN. The additional benefit observed for best repeated-sprint performance and [Formula: see text] for RSH versus RSN was not significantly different.
authors.affiliation: ISSUL, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Lausanne, Building Geopolis, Campus Dorigny, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland. franck.brocherie@insep.fr.|Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), Research Department, French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France. franck.brocherie@insep.fr.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0808-7986
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brocherie
authors.affiliation: ISSUL, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Lausanne, Building Geopolis, Campus Dorigny, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.|Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.affiliation: ISSUL, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Lausanne, Building Geopolis, Campus Dorigny, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Raphaël
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faiss
authors.affiliation: ISSUL, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Lausanne, Building Geopolis, Campus Dorigny, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Grégoire P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Millet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult