Whether amateur or professional, injured athletes all want to recover fatigued muscles faster and heal injuries sooner so they can get back to training. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an advanced, non-invasive treatment option that helps competitive athletes return to their full activity level sooner, with less risk of re-injury.
NexGen Hyperbaric applied best practices adapted from hospital treatment centers to building hyperbaric sports medicine programs, which are now treating thousands of athletes in top programs nationwide. We are becoming a leader in the community, and are proud to support elite athletes competing in world class events.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a primary or adjunct therapy to enhance recovery from a wide range of common sports injuries, including:
The key healing properties of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are decreased inflammation, increased oxygen saturation, increased blood vessel, and new tissue growth. This means treatment can reduce painful inflammation and enhance tissue regeneration in an acute sports injury. Healing can happen more quickly and more thoroughly, getting you back to training sooner. And because injuries heal more completely, there is less risk of returning to action too soon and re-injuring the area.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a challenge for every athlete when they’re training hard. It is caused by microscopic tears in the muscle tissue that happen naturally with strenuous use, and the inflammation that follows.
Our muscles generate lactic acid during intense activity when we’re asking our system to perform at such a high level there isn’t enough oxygen to fully fuel the energy burn. The lactic acid can build up in your body faster than you can burn it off, leaving you with residual discomfort after the training session is done.
It is well established that hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces inflammation. And studies now indicate that hyperbaric oxygen promotes the faster removal of lactic acid from muscle tissue. This means it can be an effective support for faster recovery from tough training sessions.
There has been a surge of research into the long-term effects of repetitive traumatic brain injury resulting from the constant impacts common in sports like football and hockey. High profile players like NFL legend Joe Namath and NHL star Daniel Carcillo are vocal advocates for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of the debilitating loss of function in retired professional athletes caused by Post Concussive Syndrome (PCS) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Research into HBOT as a treatment for restoring function even years after traumatic brain injuries occurred is showing immense promise.
Yes, HBOT is good for athletes! It can help them recover from injuries faster and perform better.
HBOT is an acronym for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. When athletes use HBOT, they are exposed to high oxygen levels in a pressurized environment. This helps the body heal faster and minimizes an athlete’s time to rest and recover from injuries. Additionally, HBOT can improve athletic performance by helping the body take in more oxygen during exercise. This allows athletes to push themselves harder without experiencing the same level of fatigue.
Many athletes use HBOT. In addition to professional athletes, many high school and college athletes also use HBOT to get an edge on their competition. Some well-known athletes who have used HBOT include LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, and Kobe Bryant. These athletes have all stated that they use HBOT to improve their performance and recover from injuries more quickly.
Yes, you can exercise after HBOT. Many people find that they have more energy and feel better after regular sessions of HBOT than before. However, speaking with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine is essential, especially if you’re just starting again after a long hiatus. Remember to start slowly and progress gradually as your body gets used to the increased demands of exercise.
There is some evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may increase the body’s metabolic rate. Research shows that HBOT causes an increase in the number of mitochondria in cells, which can lead to a higher rate of metabolism. However, more studies need to be conducted to determine whether or not HBOT speeds up metabolism.
The recovery time depends on the person’s condition. For example, if someone has a muscle injury, they may need ten sessions of HBOT over two weeks. However, if someone is looking to improve their overall athletic performance, they may only need five sessions of HBOT over one week.
Athletes use oxygen to fuel their muscles during physical activity. Muscles need oxygen to produce the energy necessary for movement. When muscles don’t have enough oxygen, they rely on anaerobic respiration, which produces lactic acid as a by-product. Lactic acid can cause muscle fatigue and cramps. Athletes try to avoid this by ensuring enough oxygen available during exercise.
Yes! Hyperbaric chambers help athletes recover from intense physical activity. The increased oxygen levels delivered to the tissues through a hyperbaric chamber help reduce inflammation and promote faster healing. Additionally, the compression of the chamber helps increase blood flow and improve nutrient delivery, which further aids recovery.
Many types of sports injuries could benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Some of these include:
A hyperbaric chamber is a pressurized room where people can breathe pure oxygen. Hyperbaric chambers are often used to treat medical conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas gangrene.
Some athletes also use hyperbaric chambers to improve their performance. The theory is that increased oxygen levels will help muscles recover more quickly from injury and allow athletes to train harder and longer.
Hyperbaric chambers increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues. This increased level of oxygen helps to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Additionally, hyperbaric chambers can help flush toxins from the body and improve circulation. Together, these benefits can help speed up recovery from injuries or illness.
Some evidence is that scuba diving with an oxygen-rich tank may have similar therapeutic effects to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you breathe 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy can help improve the function of your blood vessels and help wounds heal faster. However, if you’re interested in trying this treatment, talk to your doctor first. They can help you decide if this therapy is right for you.
Contact us today to learn more about how NexGen Hyperbaric can help support your performance.