Physical exercise is associated with an increase in the speed of metabolic processes to supply energy to working muscles and endogenous heat production. Intense sweating caused by the work performed at high ambient temperatures is associated with a significant loss of water and electrolytes, leading to dehydration. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of different hydration strategies in young men during prolonged exercise at elevated ambient temperatures on levels of pro-oxidative and antioxidant status, oxidative status markers (TAC/TOC), muscle cell damage (Mb, LDH), and inflammatory status (WBC, CRP, IL-1β). The study was conducted on a group of 12 healthy men with average levels of aerobic capacity. The intervention consisted of using various hydration strategies: no hydration; water; and isotonic drinks. The examination was di-vided into two main stages. The first stage was a preliminary study that included medical exami-nations, measurements of somatic indices, and exercise tests. The exercise test was performed on a cycle ergometers. Their results were used to determine individual relative loads for the main part of the experiment. In the second stage, the main study was conducted, involving three series of weekly experimental tests using a cross-over design. The change in plasma volume (∆PV) measured im-mediately and one hour after the exercise test was significantly dependent on the hydration strategy (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). The mean values of oxidative status did not differ signifi-cantly between the hydration strategy used and the sequence in which the test was performed. Using isotonic drinks, due to the more efficient restoration of the body’s water and electrolyte balance compared to water or no hydration, most effectively protects muscle cells from the negative effects of exercise, leading to heat stress of exogenous and endogenous origin.

Background: Obesity, a common lifestyle-related condition, is correlated with factors like inadequate physical activity. Its connection to diverse health issues presents a significant challenge to healthcare. This pilot study investigated the effects of hypoxic training on aerobic capacity and biometric-structural indicators in obese women. The secondary objective was to determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the planned research procedures and their potential for larger-scale implementation. Material and methods: Forty-one non-trained women with first-degree obesity were randomly assigned to even normobaric hypoxic training (H + E), normoxic training (E), passive exposure to hypoxia (H), and a control group (C). Training sessions were conducted three times a week for four weeks (12 training sessions). Body composition parameters were assessed, metabolic thresholds were determined, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured before and after interventions. Results: The results demonstrated that training in hypoxic conditions significantly affected somatic parameters, with the H + E group achieving the best outcomes in terms of weight reduction and improvements in body composition indicators (p < 0.001). Normoxic training also induced a positive impact on body weight and body composition, although the results were less significant compared to the H + E group (p < 0.001). Additionally, training in hypoxic conditions significantly improved the aerobic capacity among the participants (p < 0.001). The H + E group achieved the best results in enhancing respiratory endurance and oxygen consumption (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggest, that hypoxic training can be effective for weight reduction and improving the aerobic capacity in obese women. Despite study limitations, these findings indicate that hypoxic training could be an innovative approach to address obesity and related conditions. Caution is advised in interpreting the results, considering both the strengths and limitations of the pilot study. Before proceeding to a larger-scale study, the main study should be expanded, including aspects such as dietary control, monitoring physical activity, and biochemical blood analysis.

Introduction. Demographic forecasts indicate the progressive aging process of societies in all countries worldwide. The extension of life span may be accompanied by deterioration of its quality resulting from a decrease in physical activity, mental or even social performance, and a deficit in certain chemical compounds responsible for proper functioning of the body. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a 12-week Nordic walking (NW) training intervention on the level of vitamin D in the blood and quality of life among women aged 65–74 years. Materials and methods. The study comprised 37 women aged 65–74 (x = 68.08, SD = 4.2). The subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group (NW), which consisted of 20 women who underwent an intervention in the form of Nordic walking training for 12 weeks, and the control group (C), including 17 women who underwent observation. In the experimental group, training sessions were held 3 times a week for 1 h. At that time, the C group was not subject to any intervention. The SF−36 questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Vitamin D was assessed based on the results of biochemical blood tests. The analysed parameters were assessed twice-before and after the completed intervention or observation. Results. Comparison of the results regarding trials 1 and 2 allowed to note statistically significant improvement in quality of life for all health components and factors in the NW group. Analysis of vitamin D levels demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the NW group. In group C, no significant changes in the analysed parameters were observed. Conclusions. Regularly undertaking Nordic walking training significantly influences the improvement of self-evaluation regarding the components of physical and mental health, as well as the concentration of vitamin D in women aged 65–74 years.

Background and Objectives: Aerobic submaximal interval training performed under hypoxic and elevated temperature conditions may induce significant alterations in physiological responses. Understanding these effects may contribute to optimizing training programs for athletes and individuals exposed to extreme environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of combined heat and hypoxia training on physiological response and adaptation during submaximal interval training in untrained men. Methods: Eighty men aged 19–26 years, reporting moderate physical activity levels, were randomly assigned to one of five groups: normoxic thermoneutral training (NOR+21 °C), intermittent hypoxic training in normothermia (IHT+21 °C), normoxic training in heat (NOR+31 °C), intermittent hypoxic training in heat (IHT+31 °C), or a control group (CON). Training sessions were conducted three times per week over a four-week period (12 sessions in total). Somatic parameters and a graded exercise test were assessed before and after the intervention. On the first and last training sessions, selected physiological indices were recorded, including the Bedford scale, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), tympanic temperature (Ttym), and skin temperature (Tsk), hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb) and lactate concentration. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: A statistically significant decrease in heart rate (p = 0.04) and exercise intensity expressed as a percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax) (p = 0.03) was observed in the IHT+21 °C group following the training intervention. Furthermore, a significant decrease in RPE was found in the IHT+21 °C (p = 0.04) and IHT+31 °C (p = 0.001) groups. A significant change in tympanic temperature was noted only in the IHT+21 °C group, where it increased post-intervention (p = 0.01). No significant changes in Hct and Hb were observed as a result of training. Conclusions: The combination of hypoxic and heat training did not yield the expected results, and no significant changes in the physiological response to submaximal aerobic training were observed in untrained men. In untrained young men, training under hypoxic and thermoneutral conditions leads to significant physiological adaptations, including reductions in heart rate and relative exercise intensity (%HRmax) after the intervention. Moreover, both hypoxia alone and hypoxia combined with heat were associated with a reduced perception of exertion following the training period.

Background: Normobaric hypoxia is increasingly used as an additional environmental stimulus in training programs; however, its practical role in improving anaerobic performance remains unclear. This study analyzed how a four-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program performed under different hypoxic exposure models affected selected anaerobic performance indices in young men. Methods: Forty-five healthy, non-elite physically active men completed the study. Participants were assigned to one of four groups: control, normoxic training, live low–train high group, and live high–train low group. The training intervention consisted of 12 HIIT sessions performed over four weeks. Anaerobic performance was assessed before and after the intervention using a 20-s maximal cycling sprint test. Results: No significant group × time interactions were found for any variables obtained from the 20-s maximal cycling sprint test, including peak power (PP; p = 0.109, ηp² = 0.136), relative peak power (rel_PP; p = 0.641, ηp² = 0.040), relative mean power (rel_MP; p = 0.438, ηp² = 0.063), relative total work (rel_TW; p = 0.515, ηp² = 0.054), fatigue index (FI; p = 0.231, ηp² = 0.099), and time to peak power (tPP; p = 0.673, ηp² = 0.036). Conclusions: The findings suggest that, under the applied conditions, normobaric hypoxia does not provide a sufficient additional stimulus to enhance anaerobic performance adaptations. From an applied exercise physiology perspective, the specificity and structure of the training stimulus are critical when designing short-term HIIT interventions. They may be more important than hypoxic exposure itself for improving short-duration maximal cycling sprint performance.