HBOT AND ATHLETIC RECOVERY

• For decades, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been utilized off-label for treating traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). There is a growing trend of private clinics offering this therapy for both acute and chronic TBI sufferers, with documented success. A recent article highlights the successful treatment of two football players with TBIs. Their improvements were tracked through functional brain imaging and neurological examinations. Particularly noteworthy is the case of one player who had been experiencing TBI symptoms for over a decade and still benefited from HBOT. With an increasing number of professional athletes diagnosed with concussions, jeopardizing their careers, the potential impact of timely hyperbaric therapy is substantial.
• Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy using regular air has recently gained acceptance as a complementary treatment for sports-related muscle injuries. Additionally, this approach is increasingly popular as a home remedy to enhance muscle injury recovery. This study investigated the effects of a very low pressure of only 1.25 ATA on muscle regeneration. The results led the researchers to conclude that this dosage serves as a suitable supportive therapy for severe muscle injuries
• The recovery period following exercise is crucial for optimizing athletes’ performance. This study examined the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (75 minutes at 1.3 ATA) after fatigue-inducing exercise among a group of trained cyclists. It revealed enhancements in cycling output power and heart rate variability (HRV) recovery. The findings indicate that HBO represents an effective approach for enhancing cardiac parasympathetic reactivation and improving subsequent performance.
• This study involved 32 professional or semi-professional rugby players diagnosed with grade 2 MCL knee injuries. Those who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy reported reduced pain and, notably, achieved a quicker return to play. Athletes across various sports should pay attention to these findings.
• This study highlights the benefits of employing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of fracture injuries. The authors implemented a 6-week intensive hyperbaric protocol, comprising 30 sessions at 2.0 ATA. The results revealed accelerated fracture healing with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Furthermore, there was an increased presence of type 1 collagen tissue, contributing to enhanced fracture healing strength.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is frequently employed among elite athletes to aid in the recovery from muscle injuries. This research, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, examined this correlation using a group of rats subjected to induced leg muscle injuries. Subsequently, the rats underwent a regimen of 10 hyperbaric oxygen sessions over a two-week span. The findings indicated an expedited healing process and functional recovery, accompanied by increased expression of IGF-1 and other repair factors observed between days 3 and 5.
• The most notable instance of utilizing HBO as a recovery method for muscular fatigue was observed during the Nagano Winter Olympics, involving seven athletes. Post-physical activity, athletes underwent HBO treatment for 30–40 minutes at 1.3 ATA, with each athlete receiving treatment a maximum of six times and an average of two times. One athlete, experiencing tension and sharp pain in the abdominal muscles, was able to participate in a game with minimal pain after HBO treatment. Another player, suffering from anterior knee pain, received treatment within 2 days of the injury and resumed performance without difficulty thereafter. These case studies highlight the efficacy of HBO treatments in achieving optimal performance without adverse effects such as muscular pain or nerve paralysis. Additionally, athletes benefited from the conditioning effects of HBO treatment.