Summary of Study
The study, “Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Recovery After a Football Match in Young Players: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial,” investigated how a single 60-minute hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session could aid in post-match recovery for youth football players. Researchers aimed to determine whether hyperbaric therapy could improve recovery and performance by reducing fatigue and biochemical markers of muscle damage after a demanding football match. Key questions included whether HBOT could enhance muscle recovery, reduce fatigue, and support performance improvements compared to a placebo group.
Methodology
Researchers conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 20 elite youth male football players. Participants were divided into HBOT and control groups, each undergoing a simulated 90-minute football match. The HBOT group received 60 minutes of pure oxygen at 2.2 atmospheres in a chamber, while the control group sat in normal air pressure conditions. Biochemical markers like creatine kinase and myoglobin, along with performance metrics like sprint speed and jump height, were evaluated before the match and at intervals post-treatment (1 hour and 12 hours later).
Results
The football match significantly elevated biochemical markers of muscle damage in both groups. However, HBOT did not show notable differences in recovery or performance parameters compared to the control group. Sprint speeds, vertical jumps, and other physical measures remained consistent across groups. Interestingly, the HBOT group experienced a reduction in perceived fatigue, as measured by the Hooper Index, one hour after treatment, suggesting a moderate improvement in overall well-being.
Conclusion
While a single session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy had limited effects on physical recovery markers, it moderately improved players’ perception of fatigue. This suggests that HBOT could benefit recovery-related well-being but may require multiple sessions or longer exposure to impact physical recovery significantly. Future studies should explore extended HBOT protocols and include larger participant groups to verify these findings.
Source: Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Recovery After a Football Match in Young Players: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial | Marko Gušić, Tomislav Stantić, Anja Lazić, Slobodan Andrašić, Bart Roelands, and Špela Bogataj | DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1483142