Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Athletes as a Post-Workout Recovery Method
Recovery after intense training is a crucial element in an athlete’s development process. One of the increasingly popular methods of aiding recovery is HBOT oxygen therapy. Although this technique has been used for years in the treatment of various conditions, it has recently gained recognition in the sports world. Currently, athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Phelps, and Tiger Woods admit to using HBOT sessions. It has become common to say that using hyperbaric therapy is legal doping. Let’s take a closer look at how this method works and what benefits it can bring to athletes.
What is a Hyperbaric Chamber?
It’s
It’s a special device in which you stay under increased atmospheric pressure, and pure oxygen is delivered. Normally, atmospheric air contains about 21% oxygen, but in a hyperbaric chamber, you can breathe almost 100% oxygen.
Mechanism of mHBOT Action
During mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, increased pressure causes maximum saturation of hemoglobin and plasma with oxygen. This, in turn, allows for better oxygenation of tissues, including those that are usually harder for blood to reach, such as damaged muscles and joints.
Benefits for Athletes
- Faster body regeneration: intense training leads to micro-damage of muscle tissue, which is a natural adaptation process, but it requires appropriate time for post-exertion recovery. Oxygen therapy accelerates this process, reducing muscle pain, stiffness, and soreness.
- Reduction of inflammation and swelling: increased delivery of oxygen to tissues helps reduce inflammation and swelling, which is crucial in the treatment of injuries and overloads. Oxygen has anti-inflammatory effects, which can shorten the time needed to return to full fitness.
- Increased energy and endurance: better oxygenation of the body translates into more energy in the form of ATP available to the body during physical exertion. Athletes can experience increased endurance, which allows for more intense and effective training.
- Faster injury healing: oxygen therapy supports the body’s repair processes and even stimulates the production of stem cells, accelerating the healing of wounds and injuries. This can be especially beneficial for athletes prone to frequent injuries.
You Don’t Have to Be a Professional to Use mHBOT
The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sports recovery is not limited to professional athletes. It is increasingly used by recreational athletes who want to improve their performance and accelerate their return to form after intense training. Sessions in a hyperbaric chamber are generally safe, although contraindications should be ruled out before starting therapy.
