Chronobiology of aerobic and power performance in hypoxia

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Published: 2026-11-06
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18566/medupb.v45n2.a03

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Duque Vera, I. L., Urrutía Illera, I. M., Arboleda Campo, V. H., Villaquiran Hurtado, A. F., & Parra Sanchez, J. H. (2026). Chronobiology of aerobic and power performance in hypoxia. Medicina UPB, 45(2), 14-23. https://doi.org/10.18566/medupb.v45n2.a03
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Iván Leonardo Duque Vera
University of Caldas image/svg+xml
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9474-5692
Isabella María Urrutía Illera
University of Cauca image/svg+xml
Víctor Hugo Arboleda Campo
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5620-0632
Andrés Felipe Villaquiran Hurtado
University of Cauca image/svg+xml
José Hernan Parra Sanchez
National University of Colombia image/svg+xml

Abstract

Objective. To compare VO2max and pedaling power values ​​between Andean natives and acclimatized non-natives under hypobaric hypoxic conditions, and to determine the chronobiological influence.


Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 42 healthy adult males (24 Andean natives and 18 acclimatized non-natives) living at 2800 m above sea level and exercising 3 times per week. VO2max and maximum pedaling power were measured on a cycle ergometer in the morning and evening. To compare the average values ​​between the groups, a Student's t-test for independent samples and a paired t-test were used to compare the average values ​​of the same variable at different times in each group of participants.


Results. VO2max was significantly higher in Andean natives compared to acclimatized non-natives when the values ​​were measured at 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. Conversely, maximum pedaling power showed no significant differences when measured at the same times. Furthermore, no fluctuation with the time of day was observed in VO2max or maximum pedaling power in native Andean men and acclimatized non-native men.


Conclusion. The results suggest that hypobaric hypoxia significantly reduces the aerobic capacity of acclimatized non-natives compared to Andean natives, whether measured in the morning or the afternoon. However, the time of day has no influence on this variable.

Keywords:
Hypoxia, Chronobiology Discipline, Oxygen Consumption, Exercise, Biological Adaptation

Article Details

Author Biographies

Iván Leonardo Duque Vera, University of Caldas

Médico Deportólogo. Ph. D. Universidad de Caldas. departamento de acción física humana. Caldas, Manizales. Colombia. duqueivan@ucaldas.edu.co. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9474-5692. 

Isabella María Urrutía Illera, University of Cauca

Especialista en fisioterapia cardiopulmonar. Universidad del Cauca. Departamento de Fisioterapia.  Popayán. Grupo de movimiento corporal humano y calidad de vida. Cauca. Colombia. iurrutia@unicauca.edu.co. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7979-3581. 

Víctor Hugo Arboleda Campo

Candidato a doctor en Epidemiología y Bioestadística, Universidad CES, Grupo de investigación Movimiento y Salud; Grupo de Investigación Susana Ciencia Investigación y Desarrollo "SUCID", Corazón y Aorta. Popayán (Colombia). arboleda.victor@uces.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5620-0632. 

Andrés Felipe Villaquiran Hurtado, University of Cauca

Magister en intervención integral en el deportista. Universidad del Cauca. Departamento de Fisioterapia. Grupo de movimiento corporal humano y calidad de vida Popayán. Cauca. Colombia. avillaquiran@unicauca.edu.co. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6156-642. 

José Hernan Parra Sanchez, National University of Colombia

Mg. Departamento de Estadística, Matemático. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Caldas, Manizales. Colombia. jhparrasa@unal.edu.co. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6156-6425.

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