Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Athletes: from Basic Principle to Clinical Application
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) is indicated for the treatment of diving injuries and other medical problems. HBO2T’s principal mechanism to treat such conditions is the benefit of increased systemic oxygenation under pressure. Theoretically, this mechanism could have positive effect to athletes in promoting recovery after injuries and enhancing exercise performance. Although recent studies were unable to clinically demonstrate this advantages, many professional athletes and sports authorities applied HBO2T in their practice. This review of published literature both basic sciences and clinical studies aimed to reveal the concept of HBO2T used in athletes for proper and most beneficial application. Moreover, further study of HBO2T in professional athletes during competitive events is required to prove the therapeutic effect in this specific population. Even minimal effect from this modality may be enough to act as a game changer in the final competition.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. [Internet]. [cited 2023 April 12]. Available from: https://www.uhms.org/resources/hbo-indications.html.
Silpsrikul P, Mahamongkol T. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment of Malayan pit viper bite patients at Somdej Pranangchaosirikit hospital. RTN Med J 2024;51(2):433-42. (inThai).
Rattanawiwatpong P, Sugkraroek P, Norchai P, Pumyong P. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on erectile function at Somdech Phra Pinklao hospital. RTN Med J 2023;50(1):15-28. (in Thai).
James PB, Jain KK. Decompression sickness. In: Jane KK, editor. Textbook of hyperbaric medicine. 6th ed. Basel: Springer; 2017. p. 101-20.
Jane KK. Hyperbaric oxygenation in traumatology and orthopedics. In: Jane KK, editor. Textbook of hyperbaric medicine. 6th ed. Basel: Springer; 2017. p. 429-42.
Jane KK. Hypoxia. In: Jane KK, editor. Textbook of hyperbaric medicine. 6th ed. Basel: Springer; 2017. p. 39-48.
Jane KK. HBO therapy in the management of radionecrosis. In: Jane KK, editor. Textbook of hyperbaric medicine. 6th edition. Basel: Springer; 2017. p. 207-20.
Jane KK. HBO therapy in gastroenterology. In: Jane KK, editor. Textbook of hyperbaric medicine. 6th ed. Basel: Springer; 2017. p. 403-16.
Hou S, Wu G, Liang J, Cheng H, Chen C. Hyperbaric oxygen on rehabilitation of brain tumors after surgery and effects on TNF-⍺ and IL-6 levels. Oncol Lett 2019;17(3):3277-82.
Yoshinoya Y, Böcker AH, Ruhl T, Siekmann U, Pallua N, Beier JP, et al. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on human adipose-derived stem cells. Plast Reconstr Surg 2020;146(2):309-20.
Niu KC, Huang WT, Lin MT, Huang KF. Hyperbaric oxygen causes both antiinflammation and antipyresis in rabbits. Eur J Pharmacol 2009;606(1-3):240-5.
Bennett M, Best TM, Babul S, Taunton J, Lepawsky M. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for delayed onset muscle soreness and closed soft tissue injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;2005(4):CD004713.
Borromeo CN, Ryan JL, Marchetto PA, Peterson R, Bove AA. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute ankle sprains. Am J Sports Med 1997;25(5):619-25.
Yagishita K, Enomoto M, Takazawa Y, Fukuda J, Koga H. Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on recovery acceleration in Japanese professional or semi-professional rugby players with grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: a comparative non-randomized study. Undersea Hyperb Med 2019;46(5):647-54.
World Anti-Doping Agency. World anti-doping code: international standard prohibited list 2023. Quebec: World Anti-Doping Agency; 2022.
Huang X, Wang R, Zhang Z, Wang G, Gao B. Effects of pre-, post- and intra-exercise hyperbaric oxygen therapy on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol 2021;12:791872.
Kerdbumrung S, Chaunchaiyakul R, Pawong C, Gornmek P, Sinphurmsuksul O. Acute effects of different pressures used in hyperbaric oxygen conditions on recovery process after intensive exercise in athletes. J Sports Sci Technol 2013;13(2):45-7. (in Thai).
Aunampai A, Pinthong M, Chaunchaiyakul R, Sinphurmsuksul O. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on muscle recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. J Sports Sci Technol 2016;16(2):79-88. (in Thai).
Jon B. Air heads: sports stars like Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic swear by hyperbaric oxygen therapy to boost performance. [Internet]. [cited 2023 April 12]. Available from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/19944732/neymar-rashford-djokovic-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/.
Thai PBS News. May Ratchanok" entered the hyperbaric machine to restore the body. [Internet]. [cited 2023 April 12]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1oiyqcrFHc. (in Thai).
Thai PBS News. Women's volleyball rehabilitation before the Asian Championships. [Internet]. [cited 2023 April 12]. Available from: https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/1592. (in Thai).