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.
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.
Hyperoxic gas supplementation during the recovery periods between high-intensity intervals substantially improves the recovery time of SpO2 [oxygen saturation levels].
Hyperbaric Oxygen Effects on Oxygen Saturation Changes in Trained Individuals
Participants completed one hyperbaric session at 1.3 ATA with 90% oxygen for 1 hour, as this is a common anecdotal dosage in professional athletes and was shown to be a safe measure at increasing muscle and tendon oxygen delivery without any risk of oxygen toxicity, discomfort in the sinus and ear, and has not been noted to ever elicit any adverse effects.
Relative to the baseline in males, tissue oxygen saturation increased by 7.57% during HBO and was still elevated by 4.04% in the post measurement. Relative to baseline in females, tissue oxygen saturation increases by 12.92% during HBO and was still elevated by 11.87% in the post measurement.
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.
Hyperbaric exposure at 1.25 ATA with 36% oxygen delays cataract development and progression in mice with Type 2 diabetes.
Exposure to hyperbaric oxygen reduces high blood glucose levels and improves oxidative capacities in the skeletal muscles of rats with diabetes, and these effects are maintained under normobaric conditions even after exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.
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 decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and prevents the hyperglycemia associated with T2DM.
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
Hyperbaric Oxygen Effects on Oxygen Saturation Changes in Trained Individuals
HBO during or after exercise appears to assist with metabolic buffering that attenuates lactate buildup, a faster rate of oxygen supplementation, and higher maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max)…
…Oxygen is essential in connective tissue wound healing because proline and lysine are hydroxylated for the synthesis of collagen. Studies have shown with just 1.3 ATA and 50% O2, HBO can significantly increase the amount of tendon oxygen saturation, which could assist collagen growth.
The oxidative enzyme activity of alpha motoneurons innervating the soleus and plantaris muscles increased after hyperbaric exposure, irrespective of their cell body sizes. The percentage of high-oxidative fibers in the soleus and plantaris muscles increased after hyperbaric exposure. The oxidative enzyme activity of all types of fibers in the soleus and plantaris muscles increased after hyperbaric exposure. It is concluded that hyperbaric exposure with high oxygen concentration enhances the oxidative capacity of neuromuscular units.
However, the mean voluntary running activities were higher in rats with hyperbaric exposure (7,104 m/day) than in those without hyperbaric exposure (4,932 m/day). The oxidative capacities of the soleus and plantaris muscle fibers and their spinal motoneurons increased following hyperbaric exposure.
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.]
MHO is potentially an effective recovery method for mood states after high-intensity training.
MHOT demonstrated efficacy in alleviating subjective fatigue and promoting recovery of heart rate and blood perfusion following muscle fatigue.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen less than 2 atmospheres absolute with normal air is an appropriate support therapy for severe muscle injuries.
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.
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.
HBO treatment lessens the metabolic, ischemic derangements and improves recovery in postischemic muscle after 3 hours of ischemia followed by reperfusion.
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 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
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.
We conclude that the hyperbaric oxygenation conditions used in this study effectively repress hypertension.
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.
These results indicate that the conditions of hyperbaric oxygen exposure used in this study are effective for reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species, which are overproduced during arthritis.
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).
Reflections on the neurotherapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen
Since hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the only treatment proven to significantly benefit post-stroke and mTBI patients without limiting side effects, it is reasonable to allow the millions of these patients to benefit from it right away and not wait for rigorous studies. The classical candidate for HBOT is a patient with unrecovered brain injury where tissue hypoxia is the limiting factor for the regeneration possesses. In this patient, HBOT may induce neuroplasticity in the stunned regions where there is a brain anatomy/physiology
…demonstrated statistically significant symptomatic and cognitive or cognitive improvements alone in patients with mild traumatic brain injury Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome.
…statistically significant symptomatic improvements, Reliable Changes, or Clinically Significant Changes in patients with PTSD symptoms.
Pre- and post-parental observations indicated statistically significant improvements in both groups, including motivation, speech, and cognitive awareness.
After ten treatment sessions of mHBOT, the preliminary results showed that the 15 individuals in the study significantly improved in attention span, reaction time, consistency, and an overall D prime score assessed via the TOVA.
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.
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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