MANIFESTATION OF THE "VALSALVA MANEUVER" DURING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN TRAINING (HYPOXIC) MASK (PERSONAL EXPERIENCE)

An immediate significant increase in air pressure in the upper respiratory tract during heavy aerobic exercise (Valsalva maneuver) negatively affects the human circulatory system. At the same time, it is absolutely unknown how in practice this process is promoted or not promoted by the use of hypoxic masks in the training process, which are currently used to a limited extent, but at the same time are aggressively advertised. Thus, the purpose of the research is physiological modeling of the process of the «Valsalva maneuver» during physical exertion in a training mask, which allows us to supplement the method of its safe use during physical activity. 

Materials and research methods. An experiment on physiological modeling of the «Valsalva maneuver» process during physical exertion in a training mask was carried out on the territory of the Volga State University of Technology in April 2023. The training plan is based on the recommendations of the "Marathon Man" magazine. The «Phantom training mask» from the company Phantom-athletics (Austria, Salzburg) was used as a training mask. Heart rate and time were monitored using the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 fitness bracelet. The analysis of the obtained data was carried out by the Zepp life application on a cell phone, designed for synchronizing and tracking physical activity. 

Results. The technology for conducting weekly running trainings in a hypoxic mask involved climbing stairs with dumbbells and descending to the starting point with time control by a stopwatch (about 30 minutes) with air supply limited. The graph of the heart rate zone on April 10 revealed at least 2 pronounced manifestations of the Valsalva maneuver. In one case, the heart rate dropped to 79 beats; in the second case – to 84.

Conclusion. It is possible to train in a hypoxic mask, but without using extreme modes that limit air supply because they are dangerous to health.

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