Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has many benefits for athletes, as it accelerates recovery and enhances performance. However, it may accelerate recovery after sports-related surgeries and injuries, allowing athletes to return to the field more quickly.
Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, recovery is essential. Long used for medical issues such as wound healing, decompression sickness, and crush injuries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has recently gained popularity for its capacity to accelerate the healing process in athletics. Athletes such as Michael Phelps and LeBron James have benefited from the therapy, and others who have undergone it report feeling revitalised, energised, and with reduced muscle inflammation and soreness. In addition, a rapid recovery from injury is mentioned.
Let’s examine the advantages of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and how it can improve your workouts. This article will discuss the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for athletes. Let’s get going!
1. Accelerate the recovery process
Practice, conditioning, training, and competition all stress the body. Every athlete’s training regimen should include recovery time. Long-distance runners and mountain climbers are aware that their bodies require rest days after intense training to recover.
When it comes to enhancing athletic performance, though, recovery is not as straightforward as simply resting. Active recovery approaches, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, are preferable to passive recovery for athletes seeking to boost their performance (HBOT). Cristiano Ronaldo, the best soccer player in the world, utilised HBOT to expedite the healing of his broken knee.
Consider HBOT as a recuperation and rehabilitation fast-forward button. Athletes may benefit from flushing tissues with high amounts of oxygen for the following reasons:
• Increased activation of stem cells
• Accelerating the healing of bone and cartilage
• Less fatigue and soreness in the muscles
2. Faster treatment for tendon, ligament, and bone injuries
Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are notoriously difficult to recover from, partly due to the decreased blood flow they receive. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances blood flow to these tissues, both directly into the circulation and through the blood vessels.
HBOT is an innovative treatment for injured athletes. HBOT increases the oxygen absorption rate of damaged tissue by applying air pressures up to 2.4 ATA. After 60–90 minutes of HBOT, oxygen can infiltrate deeply into the blood, plasma, and brain fluids. This promotes healing and blood flow in areas where they are required.
3. It reduces discomfort and inflammation.
“Normal” is an inflammatory response to strenuous exertion or insufficient rest. Reduced oxygen deficiency, decreased inflammation, and decreased discomfort are all advantages of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is valuable for athletes who must perform at their very best.
4. Reduces the risk of overuse injuries
Athletes are prone to overuse injuries, DOMS, and other soft tissue disorders. These are caused by particularly strenuous exertion, injuries, or mechanical problems. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and tissues, which accelerates the healing of damaged tissues.
5. Treatment of TBIs and concussions
Historically, severe crush injuries were the most common indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Recently, it has been used by athletes, especially NFL players, to treat difficult sports injuries such as head and crush injuries. HBOT may reduce the severity of some injuries.
6. Treatment for compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome can affect both recreational and professional long-distance runners and joggers. Compartment syndrome is a rare, painful, and sometimes hazardous illness caused by internal pressure caused by swollen or bleeding tissue. Some medical practitioners feel that employing an oxygen-rich HBOT chamber can help prevent this agonising disease.
7. Improves productivity and mental health
In addition to its physical benefits, hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers additional benefits. Athletes utilise HBOT to calm their minds prior to or after a game, practise, or competition.
8. Enhancing Concentration
Athletes must possess more than simply strength and technique to be successful. Mental clarity, endurance, and focus are required for peak performance! Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve mental clarity and focus in athletes.
