EFFECT OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN EXPOSURE ON MUSCLE RECOVERY FROM EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure on exerciseinduced muscle damage, plasma CK level, and muscle recovery. Thirty healthy males were randomly divided into two groups (n=15/group): HBO (100% O2 and 1.7 ATA) exposure (Age, 25.3 ± 4.5 y; body weight, 65.8 ± 5.8 kg; height, 171.4 ± 5.2 cm) and Control (CONT) (room air) groups (,Age, 25.5 ± 5.0 y; body weight, 68.0 ± 7.9 kg; height, 173.5 ± 5.6 cm). Subjects were asked to perform maximal vertical jump (10 reps x 10 sets, 1- min rest between set) followed by 60-minute recovery of HBO exposure or rest in supine position (CONT) at immediately after exercise. Recovery sessions were repeated at the same time of day on the two subsequent days (24 hr, and 48 hr after exercise). Knee extension peak torque, pain scores, and thigh circumference were measured at baseline, 1, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-exercise. Creatine kinase (CK) level was measured at baseline, 1, 24, and 48 hr post-exercise. The results show that CK levels were peaked at 24 hr post-exercise
in both groups. However, an increase of CK in HBO group was significantly lowered compared with CONT at 48 hr post-exercise (p<0.05). In addition, muscle peak torque was reduced but pain scores and thigh circumference were increased following exercise in both legs, but no significant difference between groups were observed. Conclusion: HBO exposure had protective effect on muscle damage represented by CK level but it had no effects on muscle soreness, thigh circumference and isokinetic muscle strength.

(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2016; 16(2) : 79-88)

KEY WORDS: Eccentric exercise, Hyperbaric oxygen, Muscle damage, Recovery