A single hyperbaric oxygen
exposure did not enhance athletic performance or reduce recovery time in
volunteer athletes.
Clinical Bottom Line:
1. A single hyperbaric
exposure did not enhance athletic performance
2. Recovery time from
exercise was not changed by hyperbaric exposure.
Appraised by: Mike Bennett, Dept of
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital
Sydney; Friday, 9 November
2001
Clinical Scenario: An athlete wondered if
exposure to hyperbaric oxygen would improve subsequent aerobic performance.
Three-part Question: In athletes, does the
application of hyperbaric oxygen, compared to air breathing, produce an
improvement in subsequent aerobic performance or enhancement of recovery?
Search Terms: Aerobic
performance, ergogenic aid, exercise
The Study:
Non-blinded randomised
controlled trial with intention-to-treat. Fit athletes. Six male, six female.
Control group (N = 12; 12
analysed): Two control groups. Rest for 210 minutes followed by testing for
V02max and running economy (RE), and a 90 minute run followed by a period of 120
hours rest before testing.
Experimental group (N =
12; 12 analysed): Two active groups. Rest for 90 minutes followed by 120 minutes
breathing 100% oxygen at 2.5ATA and then decompression prior to testing, and a
90 minute run followed by an identical HBO regimen.
The Evidence:
Non-Event
Outcomes
Time to outcome
Control group
HBO group
P-value
Males
time to fatigue (mins)
post-exposure
16.5 +2.1
14.3 +2.6
<0.05
Males
VO2max at maximum
post-exposure
64.6 +5.8
62.2 +6.8
>0.05
running
pace (ml/kg/min)
Males
max heart rate
post-exposure
186 +15
183 +13
>0.05
(beats/min)
Comments:
1. Crossover design with
four arms combining rest, exercise and hyperbaric exposure.
2. Time to fatigue was
reduced in both groups who had exercised and this effect was therefore not
ascribed to the exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.
3. Delay between oxygen
exposure and testing was about 40 minutes.
4. Complicated study with
multiple results is difficult to interpret.
Expiry date:
February 2005
References:
1. McGavock J, Lecomte J,
Delaney J. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on aerobic performance in a normobaric
environment. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 1999; 26(4):219-224.
