Hyperbaric oxygen chambers and the treatment of sports injuries

“This review explains the rationale for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and reports on the initial research in the area of hyperbaric oxygen in sports-induced injury.

The initial human and animal model studies have shown promising, and in some instances significant, acceleration of healing. The potential benefits for sports injuries appear to be a blunting of initial injury, possibly by controlling the neutrophil adhesion and release of oxygen free radicals as well as an enhancement of healing processes requiring oxygen-like collagen formation phagocytosis”. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct for for athletes

“The best experience of HBO use as a recovery method from muscular fatigue occurred during the Nagano Winter Olympics with seven participating athletes. After physical activity, the athletes received HBO treatment for 30–40 minutes at 1.3 ATA, with a maximum of six times per athlete and an average of two times per athlete. An athlete who experienced tension and sharp pain of the abdominal muscles was able to play a game after HBO treatment with almost no pain. Another player who was experiencing anterior knee pain was treated within 2 days of injury and was able to perform afterwards with no difficulty. These test cases show that HBO treatments demonstrate high performance without adverse effects such as muscular pain and nerve paralysis. Players were also able to benefit from the conditioning effects of HBO treatment” <view study>

The influence of hyperbaric environment on the skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetic of rats after induced muscle contusion

“The present data suggest that hyperbaric exposure, particularly with oxygen, positively modulates the efficiency of skeletal muscle mitochondria after muscle contusion” <view study>

Effects of sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness while in a hyperbaric oxygen environment

‘Exercise training and HBO2 exposure stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, increase capillary density, and induce adaptive antioxidant mechanisms’

49 Healthy long-term intermediate-altitude residents were randomized into 2 groups: one performing six sessions of a SIT regimen over two weeks in a hyperbaric chamber (1.4 ATA); the other performing under ambient pressure conditions (0.85 ATA)

The results of this study demonstrated an improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the hyperbaric group, reflected by a a significantly higher increase in peak work rate and VE. <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sports-Related TBI

For decades now, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been an off-label use for traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s). More and more, private clinics are opening up to provide this therapy for those suffering from TBI’s (both acute and chronic victims) and documenting success. Now, a recent article has just been published showing two football players that were successfully treated for TBI. Both were documented with their improvements by functional brain imaging concomitantly with neurological examinations. Of important note, one player was suffering from symptoms of TBI for more than 10 years and still showed benefits from HBOT. With more professional athletes being diagnosed with concussions and putting their career at risk, the implications for timely hyperbaric therapy are enormous <view study>

Endurance performance is enhanced by intermittent hyperbaric exposure via up-regulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in mice

This study was focused on exercise training and evaluated the effects of 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric exposure during the training regimen. The researchers were able to see positive changes in cellular processes and protein levels, allowing them to conclude the following: “The results showed that intermittent exposure of 1.3 ATA was able to enhance endurance performance.” <view study>

Effects of intermittent hyperbaric exposure on endurance and interval exercise performance in well-trained mice

This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms by which 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric therapy&nbsp; improves endurance and interval exercise capacities in highly trained mice.

During sprint interval training, the results showed an increase in the proportion of type 1 muscle fibers and promoted the growth of blood vessels and muscle fibers.

These results may lead to a new strategy for enhancing exercise capacity in well-trained mice.” <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy may speed up recovery from muscle injury

Only 3 Sessions of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was shown to play a positive role in the recovery of muscle injury in rats. This should hopefully lead the way to many more studies to determine its effectiveness for speeding up recovery from injured muscles and tissue <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a potentially effective treatment for MCL healing

“Purpose:” This study investigated hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to determine their combined effects on fibroblasts from rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL).

Conclusion: HBO2 or HBO2 plus PDGF-bb treatment decreases the Type III collagen/Type I collagen content, which could result in mechanically stronger collagen fibrils. We propose HBO2 therapy as a potentially effective treatment for MCL healing.” <view study>

Low Pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes muscle regeneration

“Mild hyperbaric oxygen with normal air has emerged recently as an accepted complementary treatment for muscle injury in sport medicine. Furthermore, this method is gaining popularity as a home remedy to further improve recovery from muscle injury.” This study looked at a very low pressure of only 1.25 ATA for muscle regeneration and the results of this study cause them to conclude that this dosage was an appropriate support therapy for severe muscle injury <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves muscle regeneration

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a widely used treatment for many elite athletes for recovery from muscle injuries. This study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology looked at this relationship by taking a group of rats and inducing injury to the leg muscles. They then followed up with a program of 10 hyperbaric oxygen sessions over a 2-week period. The results demonstrated an acceleration in healing and functional recovery, with greater expression of IGF-1 and other repair factors noted at days 3 to 5 <view study>

The combination of HBOT and PRP improves bone regeneration

Recently, there has been many clinics raving about the benefits of combining HBOT with PRP. This study showed that the combination of both procedures produced new blood vessels and new bone formation. More studies are sure to follow <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy — The earlier the better!

Sciatic Nerve Regeneration:

“The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different application timings of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) on nerve regeneration in rats”

“Our results suggest that initiating HBO early after nerve repair will make a positive impact on recovery” <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen restores mitochondrial function

A 14 day course of hyperbaric pretreatment for 14 days (once a day at 2.5 ATA) improved mitochondrial morphology and significantly increased the levels of ATP. This study shows a “restoration of mitochondrial function” and helping to improve cellular energy levels. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen speeds up fracture healing

This study demonstrates the advantages of utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy following fracture injuries. The authors used a 6 week hyperbaric intensive protocol consisting of 30 sessions at 2.0 ATA. The outcome showed showed accelerated fracture healing with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In addition, there was a higher amount of type 1 collagen tissue, leading to stronger healing of the fracture <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy initiates Bone Healing

This study clearly demonstrated that it only took 5 days to significantly enhance bone growth, reduce inflammation, and accelerate bone healing, with positive results in bone new bone formation <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Bone Regeneration

“Bone loss and subsequent repair are biological processes related to many pathological conditions affecting bones, including fractures, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis, and tumor. HBOT could have a promising future as an adjunctive therapeutic approach for treating many challenges cases of inflammation-related bone loss.” <view study>

Regenerative effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with PRP — Knee Cartilage

The results of this study showed a synergistic effect of HBO and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) on knee cartilage regeneration.

“The aggregation and activation of growth factors released from platelets whose activation is increased in the hyperbaric environment may explain this synergistic effect. This may result in a better regeneration than the effect of PRP or HBO alone” <view study>

Effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen on osteoporosis

Bone loss is a common problem seen in the aging population, mainly due to disuse. This is also a seen in astronauts, patients that are on extended bed rests, and in people leading a sedentary lifestyle. Disuse-induced Bone Loss is can lead to osteoporosis and higher risks of bone fractures.

In this study, a 10 day course of mild hyperbaric therapy (1.3 ATA) was shown to protect and counter disuse-induced bone loss while helping to enhance new bone formation. <view study>

Professional rugby players with grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury of the knee recover quicker with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

32 professional or semi-professional rugby players with grade 2 MCL injury of the knee took part of this study and the ones that were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy reported less pain and more importantly were able to return to play quicker. Professional athletes of all sports should take note of this study. <view study>