Pogostost uporabe različnih postopkov hipoksične stimulacije pri slovenskih športnikih: analiza samodeklariranih podatkov iz dopinških obrazcev biološkega potnega lista v obdobju od 2017 do 2024 : magistrsko delo

Čop, Jaka (author), Žiberna, Lovro (mentor), Debevec, Tadej (comentor)

V zadnjih letih se je uporaba postopkov hipoksične stimulacije med vrhunskimi športniki razširila kot del priprav na tekmovanja. Izpostavljenost realni ali simulirani višini povzroča številne fiziološke prilagoditve, ki lahko vplivajo na zmogljivost in hematološke kazalce, zato ima ključno vlogo pri interpretaciji hematološkega modula biološkega potnega lista (ang. ABP - Athlete Biological Passport). Namen magistrskega dela je bil analizirati samodeklarirane podatke slovenskih vrhunskih športnikov o uporabi hipoksične stimulacije, ki so bili zbrani na obrazcih ABP, ter ugotoviti pogostost, vrste in protokole uporabe hipoksične stimulacije glede na spol, starost in športno disciplino. Metode: V retrospektivno analizo je bilo vključenih 66 slovenskih športnikov (213 moških in 179 ženskih vzorcev), vključenih v nacionalni program ABP pod okriljem Slovenske antidopinške organizacije (SLOADO). Analiza je zajela 392 obrazcev ABP pridobljenih na dopinških testiranjih med letoma 2017 in 2024. Podatki so bili pridobljeni iz protidopinškega administrativnega sistema upravljanja (ang. ADAMS - Anti-Doping Administration and Management System) in analizirani z opisno statistiko v programih Microsoft Excel in IBM SPSS Statistics 29. Rezultati: Uporabo postopkov hipoksične stimulacije v zadnjih dveh tednih pred testiranjem je samodeklariralo 16,3 % športnikov, pri čemer je prevladovalo bivanje na višini (43 primerov), sledila sta hipoksični šotor (14 primerov) in višinska soba (6 primerov). Največ primerov uporabe je bilo v vzdržljivostnih disciplinah, zlasti v cestnem kolesarstvu, biatlonu, smučarskem teku in atletiki na dolge proge. Rezultati so potrdili hipotezi, da slovenski športniki uporabljajo postopke hipoksične stimulacije ter da je ta pogostejša v vzdržljivostnih športih, pri čemer je prevladovala uporaba naravne (hipobarične) hipoksije. Zaključek: Raziskava je prva v Sloveniji, ki temelji na dejanskih podatkih iz protidopinških obrazcev ABP in predstavlja pomemben prispevek k razumevanju uporabe različnih postopkov hipoksične stimulacije v nacionalnem programu ABP. Rezultati poudarjajo pomen natančnega samodeklariranja podatkov za pravilno interpretacijo hematološkega modula biološkega potnega lista in za učinkovitejše načrtovanje ciljnih testiranj v okviru protidopinškega nadzora.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: biološki potni list, hipoksična stimulacija, višinska vadba, anti-doping
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: FŠ - Faculty of Sport
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-181315
• COBISS.SI-ID: 275387395
• Publication date in RUL: 01.04.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Frequency of use of different hypoxic stimulation methods among Slovenian athletes: analysis of self-reported data from the doping forms of the athlete biological passport in the period 2017–2024

Abstract

In recent years, the use of hypoxic stimulation methods among elite athletes has expanded as part of preparations for competitions. Exposure to real or simulated altitude induces numerous physiological adaptations that may affect performance and haematological markers and thus plays a key role in the interpretation of the haematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The aim of this master’s thesis was to analyse self-declared data reported by Slovenian elite athletes on the use of hypoxic stimulation, collected on ABP doping control forms, and to determine the frequency, types, and protocols of hypoxic stimulation according to sex, age, and sport discipline. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 66 Slovenian athletes enrolled in the national ABP program under the Slovenian Anti-Doping Organization (SLOADO), comprising 392 ABP forms obtained during anti-doping tests between 2017 and 2024 (213 male and 179 female samples). Data were obtained from the Anti-doping administration and management system (ADAMS) and analysed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 29. Results: The use of hypoxic stimulation methods in the two weeks preceding testing was self-reported by 16.3% of athletes. In more details, altitude exposure predominantly involved living at altitude (43 cases), followed by a hypoxic tent (14 cases) and an altitude room (6 cases). The highest number of altitude-training cases occurred in endurance sports disciplines, particularly road cycling, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and long-distance track and field events. The results confirmed the hypotheses that Slovenian athletes use hypoxic stimulation methods and that it is more frequent in endurance sports, with a predominance of natural (hypobaric) hypoxia. Conclusion: This study is the first in Slovenia based on real-world data from anti-doping ABP forms and represents an important contribution to understanding the use of different of hypoxic stimulation methods within the national ABP program. The findings highlight the importance of accurate self-reporting for the correct interpretation of the haematological module of the ABP and for more effective planning of targeted testing within anti-doping control.

• Keywords: Athlete Biological Passport, hypoxic stimulation, altitude training, anti-doping