Mechanisms of Action

Hyperoxia: Effective Mechanism of Hyperbaric Treatment at Mild-Pressure

…the oxygen entering the mitochondria can reverse tissue hypoxia, activating the electron transport chain to generate energy.

The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research

Under 1.3 atm absolute condition, dissolved oxygen in the plasma increased only 1.5 times, whereas it increased about 20 times under 2.8 atm absolute and 100% O2 (26). This study also showed that StO2 within the tendon increased sufficiently under even 1.3 atm absolute and 50% O2 condition. Therefore, if similar effects are obtained, it is desirable to establish lower atmospheres absolute and oxygen density during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The Effects of Hyperoxia on Sea-Level Exercise Performance, Training, and Recovery: A Meta-Analysis | Sports Medicine

Acute exercise performance is increased with hyperoxia. An FiO2 ≥ 0.30 appears to be beneficial for performance, with a higher FiO2 [fraction of inspired oxygen] being correlated to greater performance.

Effect of hyperoxia during the rest periods of interval training on perceptual recovery and oxygen re-saturation time

Hyperoxic gas supplementation during the recovery periods between high-intensity intervals substantially improves the recovery time of SpO2 [oxygen saturation levels].

Metabolism

Mild hyperbaric oxygen: mechanisms and effects

Adequate oxygen supply by exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen at appropriately high atmospheric pressure (1266-1317 hPa) and increased oxygen concentration (35-40% oxygen) has a possibility of improving the oxidative metabolism in cells and tissues without barotrauma.

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Inhibits Growth-related Decrease in Muscle Oxidative Capacity of Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

Mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibited growth-related increase in blood glucose levels and decrease in muscle oxidative capacity of rats with metabolic syndrome because of improved oxidative metabolism.

Mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the growth-related decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and prevents hyperglycemia in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and prevents the hyperglycemia associated with T2DM.

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Improves Decreased Oxidative Capacity of Spinal Motoneurons Innervating the Soleus Muscle of Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Rats with type 2 diabetes have decreased oxidative capacity in motoneurons innervating the soleus muscle and this decreased oxidative capacity is improved by mild hyperbaric oxygen.

Hemodynamic response during hyperbaric treatment on skeletal muscle in a type 2 diabetes rat model

Mild hyperbaric treatment prevents type 2 diabetes progression due to increased oxygen concentration and blood flow in skeletal muscle.

Hyperbaric Normoxia Improved Glucose Metabolism and Decreased Inflammation in Obese Diabetic Rat

These results suggested that TNFα downregulation and IL-10 upregulation in diabetic rats subjected to hyperbaric treatment participate in the crosstalk between the adipose and skeletal muscle tissues and improve glucose intolerance.

Exercise/Injury Recovery

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Repeated hyperbaric oxygen treatments in the postischemic phase stimulate aerobic metabolism. [increasing levels of the energy-rich compounds adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) and decreasing levels of lactate in muscle.]

Mild hyperbaric oxygen for the early improvement of mood disturbance induced by high-intensity exercise

MHO is potentially an effective recovery method for mood states after high-intensity training.

Effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy on timing sequence recovery of muscle fatigue in chinese university male athletes

MHOT demonstrated efficacy in alleviating subjective fatigue and promoting recovery of heart rate and blood perfusion following muscle fatigue.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen at 1.25 atmospheres absolute with normal air on macrophage number and infiltration during rat skeletal muscle regeneration

Mild hyperbaric oxygen less than 2 atmospheres absolute with normal air is an appropriate support therapy for severe muscle injuries.

Unloading-induced atrophy and decreased oxidative capacity of the soleus muscle in rats are reversed by pre- and postconditioning with mild hyperbaric oxygen

A combination of pre- and post-conditioning with mild hyperbaric oxygen can be effective against the atrophy and decreased oxidative capacity of skeletal muscles associated with hindlimb unloading.

Post-Exercise Hyperbaric Oxygenation Improves Recovery for Subsequent Performance

HBO is an efficient strategy to improve cardiac parasympathetic reactivation and is beneficial for subsequent performance.

EFFECTS OF A 4-WEEK MICRO-HYPERBARIC OXYGEN INTERVENTION ON OXIDATION-ANTIOXIDATION SYSTEM FUNCTION EFFECTS OF A 4-WEEK MICRO-HYPERBARIC OXYGEN INTERVENTION ON OXIDATION-ANTIOXIDATION SYSTEM FUNCTION

A four-week 1.3 ATA HBO intervention decreased the level of oxidative stress, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced the degree of exercise fatigue in skeleton athletes.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment attenuates glutathione depletion and improves metabolic restitution in postischemic skeletal muscle

HBO treatment lessens the metabolic, ischemic derangements and improves recovery in postischemic muscle after 3 hours of ischemia followed by reperfusion.

The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen and Active Recovery on Lactate Removal and Fatigue Index. | EBSCOhost

Hiperbaric Oxygen 1.3 ATA is more effective than HBO 1.8 ATA or active recovery in lactate removal.

Hyperbaric Oxygen as an Adjuvant for Athletes | Sports Medicine (springer.com)

By performing HBO treatment, more oxygen is dissolved in the plasma of the pulmonary vein via the alveolar, increasing the oxygen reaching the peripheral tissues. HBO treatment is therefore expected to improve recovery from injury and fatigue.

The effects of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment before and after maximal exercise on lactate concentration, heart rate recovery, and antioxidant capacity

The lactate concentration and heart rate of recovery 30 min was significantly lower in the low-pressure HBO treated group after the maximal exercise compared with the control group and the low-pressure HBO treated group before maximal exercise, and it could affect the removal of the fatigue substance caused by the maximal exercise. These results suggest that the low-pressure HBO treatment which is a new possibility for recovery of peripheral fatigue.

Circulatory System

Mild hyperbaric oxygen exposure protects heart during ischemia/reperfusion and affects vascular relaxation

mHBOT protects the heart during ischemia/reperfusion and affects vascular relaxation.

Exposure to a mild hyperbaric oxygen environment elevates blood pressure

Mild hyperbaric oxygen exposure might be a control method for chronic hypotension. In addition, these results suggest that people with hypertension might require some attention.

Beneficial effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen exposure on microcirculation in peripheral tissues in healthy subjects: a pilot study

Mild HBO increases blood flow in the capillaries of peripheral tissues by regulating parasympathetic nerve activities through increasing oxygen delivery, oxygen bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells and dissolved oxygen content in plasma.

Neurological Issues

Mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the decrease of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of mice with MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease

The decrease in dopaminergic neurons of mice with Parkinson’s disease was inhibited by 11 weeks of exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen.

Hyperbaric oxygen: B-level evidence in mild traumatic brain injury clinical trials

[HBOT is] an effective treatment in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury/persistent postconcussion syndrome (mTBI/PPCS).

Frontiers | Systematic Review and Dosage Analysis: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Efficacy in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome

…demonstrated statistically significant symptomatic and cognitive or cognitive improvements alone in patients with mild traumatic brain injury Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome.

Frontiers | Systematic review and dosage analysis: hyperbaric oxygen therapy efficacy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

…statistically significant symptomatic improvements, Reliable Changes, or Clinically Significant Changes in patients with PTSD symptoms.

Fatigue

The Effect of Mild-Pressure Hyperbaric Therapy (Oasis O2) on Fatigue and Oxidative Stress

Our findings suggest that mild-pressure hyperbaric therapy reduces oxidative stress as indicated by a significant decrease in serum ROM, and also helps improve fatigue as seen by a significant decrease in VAS fatigue scores.

Immune System

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure Enhances Peripheral Circulatory Natural Killer Cells in Healthy Young Women

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure Enhances Peripheral Circulatory Natural Killer Cells in Healthy Young Women.

Contradindications

Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers and the Treatment of Sports Injuries

Potential contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen therapy include individuals who are febrile, suffer from upper respiratory infections, or have suffered a trauma to the chest where a pneumothorax is suspected or have a predisposition to tension pneumothorax.

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About Author

Linn is founder and head writer at Self-Powered Recovery.

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