Abstract This study is the first to determine how hypoxia affects human muscle fatigue kinetics and metabolic perturbations during intense dynamic exercise. Using randomized, single-blinded crossover designs, three trials of two-legged knee extensions were performed under hypoxic (HYP, FiO₂ 0.135) and normoxic (NOR) conditions. Trial 1 (n = 8): quadriceps femoris twitch force (Ftw) was measured before, during, and after 4 min intense exercise followed by exhaustive exercise.