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The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Aerobic and Anaerobic Physical Fitness

The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Aerobic and Anaerobic Physical Fitness

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03524989
Acronym
SPORTRCT
Enrollment
59
Registered
2018-05-15
Start date
2018-05-15
Completion date
2021-09-15
Last updated
2026-05-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Athletes, Healthy

Keywords

hbot, hyperbaric oxygen, sport, mitochondria, athletes, aerobic

Brief summary

Previous evidence showed hyperbaric oxygen can enhance aerobic and anaerobic performance during the exposure. The effect of continuous exposure of hyperbaric oxygen on performance was never evaluated.

Detailed description

In recent years, several options for physical performance enhancement by increasing blood oxygen content were explored. One option is increasing the number of red blood cells by blood transfusions. Another option is using the erythropoietin hormone. These methods showed an effective increase of maximal oxygen consumption rate (VO2MAX) by 10%. However, due to their inherent risks, the international sports associations banned their uses. A third option of training in high altitude environments, but this option was never proved to be effective. Another strategy would be increasing the blood oxygen content by increasing the plasma dissolved oxygen concentration. This would only be possible using hyperbaric oxygen therapy -which includes inhaling 100% oxygen in a pressure higher than the normal atmospheric pressure. Previous evidence showed hyperbaric oxygen can enhance aerobic and anaerobic performance during the exposure. These studies evaluated the effect during a single hyperbaric oxygen exposure. The effect of continuous exposure of hyperbaric oxygen on performance was never evaluated. The study is designed as a randomized controlled study aiming to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the aerobic and anaerobic performance. After signing an informed consent form, patients will be randomized into 2 groups: treatment and control group. Patients will be invited for baseline evaluations. All patients would be evaluated 2 times - at baseline and after 2 months of follow up, The evaluation will include physical examination, VO2MAX, muscle biopsy for mitochondrial function, aerobic function measurements, cognitive assessment, brain MRI, brain EEG. Protocols: Treatment: Patients will receive 40 daily sessions, 5 days/week, 60 minutes each with 5 minutes air break every 30 minutes, 100% oxygen at 2 atmospheres (ATA). Control: Patients will receive 40 daily sessions, 5 days/week, 60 minutes each with 5 minutes air break every 30 minutes, 21% oxygen (air) at 1.01 ATA. Upon completion of the study, control group would be offered to crossover and complete additional 40 sessions of 100% oxygen at 2 ATA. A third evaluation would be performed in case patients will complete the protocol.

Interventions

DEVICEHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

40 daily sessions, 60 minutes of 100% oxygen at pressure of 2 ATA each, five days a week for 2 months.

DEVICESHAM treatment

40 daily sessions, 60 minutes of 21% oxygen at pressure of 1.01 ATA each, five days a week for 2 months.

Sponsors

Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Randomized blinded controlled 2 groups with SHAM treatment

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18-25 or 40-50 age * Professional performance of aerobic sports for ages 18-25 (at least 5 times a week) * Moderate and above performance of aerobic sports for ages 40-50 (at least 4 times a week) * no chronic illness * no significant musculoskeletal injury in the past 3 months

Exclusion criteria

* Debilitating significant musculoskeletal injury * Previous hyperbaric oxygen exposure * Lung pathology * Middle or Inner ear pathology * Claustrophobia * Chronic illness * Smoking * Chronic medications

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline of exercise VO2 MAX at 2 months and 4 monthsbaseline, at 2 months, 4 monthsUsing a standard exercise test which includes gas analysis, the change in VO2 maxs will be assessed 2 months and 4 months compared to baseline

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from baseline of maximal respiratory ratebaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing a trucut needle, the gluteus maximus will be sampled in a sterile technique for 1-2mg of muscle tissue. Oroboros O2k high resolution respirometry analyzer will be used (Oxygraph-2k Oroboros Instruments, Innsbruck, Austria). Maximal respiration rate (nmol/ml) will be calculated.
Change from baseline of basal respiration ratebaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing a trucut needle, the gluteus maximus will be sampled in a sterile technique for 1-2mg of muscle tissue. Oroboros O2k high resolution respirometry analyzer will be used (Oxygraph-2k Oroboros Instruments, Innsbruck, Austria). Basal respiration rate (nmol/ml) will be measured where mitochondrial reserve capacity and ATP-linked respiration will be calculated.
Change from baseline of respiration independent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production (in muscle biopsybaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing a trucut needle, the gluteus maximus will be sampled in a sterile technique for 1-2mg of muscle tissue. Oroboros O2k high resolution respirometry analyzer will be used (Oxygraph-2k Oroboros Instruments, Innsbruck, Austria). Inpendent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production (proton leak) (nmol/ml) will be calculated.
Change from baseline in body fat/muscle ratiobaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing an electric current weight, the fat % and muscle % content will be measured.
Change in maximal vertical jump (meters)baseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsMaximal running speed, maximal vertical jump height will be measured according the standards.
Change in maximal running speed (km/hr)baseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsMaximal running speed will be measured according the standards.
Change in forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1)baseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing a standard spirometry, forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) (liters/second) will be measured
Change in forced volume capacity (FVC)baseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsUsing a standard spirometry, forced volume capacity (FVC) (liters/second) will be measured
Change in general cognitive functionbaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsPatients' cognitive functions will be assessed by Neurotrax computerized cognitive tests to generate the general cognitive index (0-100)
Change from baseline of brain blood perfusion in brain MRIbaseline, at 2 months, at 4 monthsimaging will be performed for evaluation of brain changes and angiogenesis process using MRI perfusion and microstructure

Countries

Israel

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORShai a Efrati, MD

Asaf-Harofhe MC

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 14, 2026