What is oxygen therapy?
Under normal conditions, the air we breathe contains around 21% oxygen. This level is ideal for optimal bodily function, ensuring adequate oxygen saturation in the blood and proper cell oxygenation. However, when tissues experience a lack of oxygen, it is crucial to increase the oxygen supply so as to maintain adequate levels in the bloodstream. This is the fundamental concept behind oxygen therapy.
Most of us are likely familiar with this therapeutic approach from TV. In many films, patients are shown using various breathing aids, such as oxygen masks (known as Venturi masks), endotracheal tubes, nasal cannulas, oxygen tents, or ventilators. While TV shows usually simplify the technicalities of oxygen therapy, the fundamental goal remains the same: to address urgent situations where breathing difficulties and insufficient oxygen supply to body tissues may arise. Common reasons for administering oxygen therapy include carbon monoxide poisoning, sudden cardiac arrest, pulmonary edema, and asphyxia (suffocation).
However, there are also types of oxygen therapy used outside of hospital emergency departments. Among these, the most significant is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The method is non-invasive and painless. HBOT involves placing a person in a special hyperbaric chamber where they breathe pure oxygen for a set period under increased pressure. Elevated pressure allows oxygen to bypass physiological limitations more effectively and reach tissues that would otherwise receive insufficient blood flow.
HBOT is employed in the treatment of various medical conditions. It is used in rehabilitation and recovery processes, aids in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds and injuries, and offers support in managing nervous system disorders. Oxygen therapy can also improve the health and appearance of skin.
Oxygen therapy in sports
The regenerative benefits of HBOT were quickly recognized by professional athletes looking for innovative methods for managing pain. Oxygen therapy aids biological regeneration, providing faster recovery and treatment for both minor and major injuries. Supporting tissue oxygenation helps the body adapt to functioning with increased oxygen at the cellular level. Breathing efficiency improves and muscles gain more energy. During intense exercise, this not only boosts body performance, but also helps prevent micro-injuries, inflammation, swelling, and delayed-onset muscle soreness. These benefits have been reported by athletes across a wide range of individual and team sports, including golf, basketball, and even motorsports.
It is important to note that while the World Anti-Doping Agency acknowledges the beneficial effects of oxygen therapy on the physical performance of athletes, HBOT is not included on the list of banned substances.
Oxygen therapy – conditions and contraindications
While oxygen therapy can enhance physical performance, it should not be seen as a miracle cure that automatically leads to success in sports. In sports practice, it typically serves as a supplement to comprehensive personalized training plans that are tailored to specific objectives, particularly at advanced levels. Importantly, HBOT requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired results. A standard program consists of 10 sessions, each lasting around 60 minutes, provided once or twice daily.
While HBOT is a non-invasive procedure, there are certain circumstances where it may not be advisable. These encompass a range of conditions such as various types of epilepsy, lung diseases, pregnancy, sinus and ear infections, cancer treatments like chemotherapy or the use of specific antibiotics. Oxygen therapy is not administered during infections or fever.
There is limited concrete evidence on the side effects of HBOT. Typically, these injuries are related to pressure changes in a hyperbaric chamber, affecting the ears and sinuses. There have also been cases of oxygen toxicity resulting from excessively long HBOT sessions. However, a professional assessment prior to undergoing the procedure usually minimizes the risk of adverse effects.
Oxygen therapy for amateur athletes
Both amateur and professional athletes can benefit from the positive effects of oxygen therapy. However, it is important to understand that HBOT is not a substitute for a solid foundation of diet, exercise, and body recovery. Consequently, it is not recommended for individuals seeking a quick fix or shortcut to their desired goals.
However, athletes training at a competitive level and aiming to reach their peak performance might obtain tangible benefits from integrating oxygen therapy into their training regimen. Recently, oxygen therapy has been added to the benefits covered by the MultiSport card.
References:
- Moghadam N., Hieda M., Ramey L. i inni, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sports Musculoskeletal Injuries, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2020.
- Yamamoto Y., Noguchi Y., Enomoto M. i inni, Otological complications associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2016.
- Babul S., Rhodes E. C., The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sports medicine, Sports Medicine, 2000.
- Barata P., Cervaens M., Resende R. i inni, Hyperbaric Oxygen Effects on Sports Injuries, Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, 2011.
- Hadanny A., Hachmo Y, Rozali D. i inni, Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Mitochondrial Respiration and Physical Performance in Middle-Aged Athletes: A Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial, Sports Medicine (Open), 2022.