AUTHOR=de Asís-Fernández Francisco , Sereno Daniel , Turner Anthony P. , González-Mohíno Fernando , González-Ravé José María 

TITLE=Effects of apnoea training on aerobic and anaerobic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.964144

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.964144

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background</bold> Trained breath-hold divers have shown physiological adaptations that might improve athletes’ aerobic and anaerobic performance.</p><p><bold>Objective</bold> This study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature and perform a meta-analysis to assess the effects of voluntary apnoea training on markers of anaerobic and aerobic performance, such as blood lactate and VO<sub>2max</sub>.</p><p><bold>Methods</bold> A literature search on three databases (Web of Science, PubMed and SCOPUS) was conducted in March 2022. The inclusion criteria were 1) peer-reviewed journal publication; 2) clinical trials; 3) healthy humans; 4) effects of apnoea training; 5) variables included markers of aerobic or anaerobic performance, such as lactate and VO<sub>2max</sub>.</p><p><bold>Results</bold> 545 manuscripts were identified following database examination. Only seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were, therefore, included in the meta-analysis. 126 participants were allocated to either voluntary apnoea training (ApT; <italic>n</italic> = 64) or normal breathing (NB; <italic>n</italic> = 63). Meta-analysis on the included studies demonstrated that ApT increased the peak blood lactate concentration more than NB (MD = 1.89 mmol*L<sup>−1</sup> [95% CI 1.05, 2.73], z = 4.40, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). In contrast, there were no statistically significant effects of ApT on VO<sub>2max</sub> (MD = 0.89 ml*kg<sup>−1</sup>*min<sup>−1</sup> [95% CI −1.23, 3.01], z = 0.82, <italic>p</italic> = 0.41).</p><p><bold>Conclusion</bold> ApT might be an alternative strategy to enhace anaerobic performance associated with increased maximum blood lactate; however, we did not find evidence of ApT effects on physiological aerobic markers, such as VO<sub>2max</sub>.</p><p><bold>Systematic Review Registration</bold>: [<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://PRISMA" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">PRISMA</ext-link>], identifier [registration number].</p>