Advantages of Hyperbaric Oxygen Intake During Exercise Sessions

Over the past few years, enhancing the physical capability of athletes has been the most talked about subject in the world of sports. And the full-proof way to go about it is to boost blood oxygen content, primarily in two ways:

• Increasing the number of red blood cells using the transfusion method

• By using the erythropoietin hormone

Now, both these methods depicted a significant increase in oxygen consumption rate (also known as VO2MAX) by as much as ten percent.

However, the rub was an inherent risk due to constant usage leading to a ban imposed by multiple international sports associations.

A third option which is training in higher altitudes was seemingly out of the question for many as its effectiveness is often met with mixed reviews.

Research studies concluded the most effective way to boost stamina for athletes was to increase the plasma dissolved oxygen concentration. And that is where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) comes into the picture. Hyperbaric chambers are used to help breathe in 100 percent pure, unadulterated oxygen at higher than normal atmospheric pressure.

Backing the use of hyperbaric chambers were multiple medical evidences, successfully establishing the efficacy of HBOT in enhancing both aerobic and anaerobic performance.

In this post, we take a closer look at several advantages of using hyperbaric chambers and why it is widely recommended for athletic use.

Why Hyperbaric Chambers for Sportsmen?

One of the key things that keeps up the stamina of several athletes is regulated breathing. However, not many sources of oxygen are available, which can help facilitate the same both on and off the field.

The keyword here is a long-term effect, which is made possible using hyperbaric chambers, and that too over a few sessions. The underlying cause for a rapid level of efficacy is the capability of HBOT to boost the leukocytes and their working efficiency, particularly when attending to field injuries.

What Can You Expect During A HBOT Session?

Hyperbaric chambers are basically of two broad types-monoplace and multiplace. As the name suggests, the former is meant for single-patient use, while the latter can accommodate more than one person.

At the very outset, a typical hyperbaric chamber can resemble an MRI machine where you step in to sit or lie down and breathe oxygen via masks or hoods.

Now, before you avail yourself the therapy, there are a handful of things that you would be asked to do:

• You are not allowed to wear any perfume or deodorant. Also, keep clear from using hair sprays and cologne.

• You must abstain from alcohol or any sort of carbonated drinks before an HBOT session.

• You will be asked to take off any jewelry, wigs, and hair patches (if you wear one).

• It is normal for someone availing of HBOT for the first time to have a feeling of fullness in their ears. This is generally due to increased pressure, and you can either swallow or yawn to relieve the sensation, similar to flying in an airplane at higher latitudes.

 

A typical HBOT session lasts between forty-five minutes to a couple of hours. During the therapy, you are advised to relax, watch a movie, or read a light book if you like. You can resume your daily activities within a few hours of availing of the therapy.

Advantages of HBOT for Exercise Sessions

When one exercises or plays a sport of any kind, breathing gets faster. This is because your muscles, tissues, and cells demand more oxygen to keep you going and deliver the best performance.

Nevertheless, even though one breathes faster, the body might not receive the kind of oxygen it demands to function well, thereby leading to anaerobic respiration.

As a result, the body starts extracting O2 from deep within by transforming glycogen into lactic acid. The possible outcome of this process includes muscle cramps, fatigue, and in some cases, even muscle fever.

No sooner than the body receives a desired level of oxygen, it cuts off the lactic acid production and eliminates any anaerobic respiration. Thus, it is pretty evident that HBOT can be immensely beneficial for anyone engaged in high-intensity sports, like rugby or marathon running.

Besides, there’s a good chance of mental fatigue as the brain is the most oxygen-consuming organ in our body (almost twenty percent). HBOT has been found to help with that too, as several placebo-controlled trials have shown how it improves cognition, concentration, as well as reaction time in several subjects.

Hyperbaric chambers, when used by athletes systematically, have been found to uniquely address tissue hypoxia and further alleviate ischemic reperfusion lesions, thereby leading to the following key advantages:

• A faster way to tackle inflammation

• Enhanced blood circulation

• Mitigating or slowing down scar formation

Wrap Up

Several medical trials have confirmed the efficacy of HBOT to help athletes boost their performance. Although dedicated HBOT training has shown no remarkable change in systemic oxidative stress markers when it comes to boosting capacity under normobaric normoxia environs in sports, like soccer, where you are constantly activating large muscle groups, it does make a difference.

Thus, there is no denying that using hyperbaric chambers on a corroborating note can not only hold the key to endurance-boosting but also a way to address field injuries, where athletes can make a faster comeback.