[abstract] HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY EFFECTS ON CARDIO-RESPIRATORY PARAMETERS IN TRAINED ATHLETES.

Abstract

In order to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) can modify cardio-respiratory parameters of trained athletes, 48 subjects (expert rowings and judo wrestlers) were studied. After stratification by agonistic ability, the athletes were divided at random in two groups and one was treated with HBO (2.2 ATA, daily for 5 days for two weeks). All the athletes underwent a Master's submaximal test before study (1st time), after one week (2nd time) and after two weeks (3rd time). Heart rate, V0 2 were evaluated at all times. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of Friedman, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with multiple comparisons when appropriate. In the non treated group the heart rate was significantly increased after 1st min. and remain high at 2nd, 3rd, 4th min.; and 30 second after test was significantly decreased. These results were steady in every time. In the treated group at 1st time the heart rate variations were equal to the non treated group. At the 2nd and 3rd time the increase heart rate was significantly slower and the decrease faster. At these times the VO2 were significantly lower then in non treated group. In conclusion our data suggest that HBO therapy greatly modifies the cardiorespiratory changes produced by exercise.